Kildare school's polytunnel provides experiential learning

The location of a new polytunnel in Cross and Passion College Kilcullen was a "patch of grass waiting for an idea", college principal Joe Leonard said when it was officially opened recently. 

The honours were performed by past pupil Cllr Suzanne Doyle, who hoped the facility would bring a love of recreational gardening and horticulture “that will benefit students throughout their lives”.

Since the structure arrived at Easter it has been used by Leaving Certificate Applied students and by TY students who are all now able to experience growing plants and vegetables in reality rather than merely learning about it from pictures on a page. 

Cllr Doyle said it also offers a real opportunity to gain a knowledge of sustainability through "very practical traditional ways".

The idea for the polytunnel came from LCA coordinator Sabrina Mills, following a review last year undertaken with students, staff and parents. 

“What came across was that our students really loved the practical side of the LCA programme and that they loved learning outside the classroom,” she said.

 The project was fully funded by the school’s board. 

“We get a lot of ideas presented during the year, and we’re unfortunately not in the position to fund them all,” Mr Leonard said. “But when we got this one it was an instant ‘yes’.”

Ms Mills thanked everybody from the board and staff who had helped to make the project possible. Pointing out that the polytunnel was just an idea last year and now a reality, she gave particular credit to the students. 

“They’re just the most fantastic group. They’re so creative and hard-working, they just take an idea and they bring it from the planning stage to the final stage, and the results are always amazing.”

TY coordinator Glenda Groome described the facility as an example of "real experiential learning" that is a focus in the college. 

“All the evidence shows that students learn more effectively when they actually get to experience something. When you’re growing something, you begin to see the reward in a very short period of time.” 

She added that having the polytunnel provides the opportunity to sample homegrown flavours, as well as being useful in the climate change module for TY students.

Small presentations were made to teachers and a representative of the school’s board by some of the LCA students.