Pelaw Main Public School now has a place for students to escape the ‘hustle and bustle’ of the playground.
The sensory garden, on the Abermain Street side of the school, was built thanks to volunteers from Kurri Rotary Club and the school community.
School principal Shaun Graham said the area where the new garden has been built was so overgrown, the children were not allowed to play in it.
Rotary club members spent several weekends clearing a space for concreting, and then arranging for the concreting to be laid in the garden. They then painted a checkerboard on the concrete.
The school has since had a couple of working bees to construct other components of the garden.
Year 2 teacher Helen Grant said the sensory garden is a place where students can come to relax and withdraw if they need to.
They will soon be able to enjoy the sounds of a giant xylophone and drumming area.
Mr Graham said the idea for the sensory garden came about at the funeral of the school’s former P and C president Judy Mayer, who passed away last year after a battle with cancer.
A table has been constructed in the garden in memory of Mrs Mayer.
Funding for the garden came via a Cessnock City Council dollar-for-dollar environmental grant.
The school was also grateful for the support of the Rotary Club, and presented thank you gifts to club members on June 8.
