22 October, 2021

Priory School in Birmingham recently created The Climate Grove, a tranquil area where staff and pupils alike could sit whilst being at one with nature and their own thoughts. It was a project devised and led by pupils and supported by staff. It was thought that fruit trees should be planted so that pupils could reap the harvest of their hard work.

The focal point of the planting is a tree in commemoration of the 175th anniversary of the Society of The Holy Child Jesus. The overall project would be environmentally beneficial through the planting of trees as a carbon sink.

In celebration of the 175th anniversary of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, the school selected and planted a commemorative tree, a Gleditsia Sunburst. It’s vivid yellow summer bloom contrasts beautifully with the predominantly darker green Forest School woodland.

A brass plaque is positioned by this tree to mark the anniversary, which reads, “To commemorate the 175th anniversary of The Society of the Holy Child Jesus This tree, Gleditsia Sunburst Was planted on 9th June 2021.”

At Mayfield School in East Sussex, on St Teresa’s Day, European Province leader Angela O’Connor, SHCJ, who was down at Mayfield, was invited to cut the ribbon round a tree planted by the students. Some of year 8 had prepared a service for the occasion.