TWO borough organisations at the top of their game have celebrated a new alliance.
Both winners in their own right, Windmill Primary School and charity Wokingham in Need (WIN) have joined forces, and will be working together throughout the year on projects to benefit not only the school, but the local community.
Windmill primary school proudly displays its UNICEF Gold Rights Respecting School award, which shows that children’s rights are learned, understood and lived in its community.
And Wokingham In Need recently received royal approval through King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS), the highest honour that can be given to local voluntary groups in the UK.
Both groups share a desire to look outward, and to work collaboratively.
Their first joint project will be the transformation of Windmill Primary School’s nature garden.
“We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Wokingham In Need,” said assistant head teacher of Windmill Primary School Poppy Bond.
“And we’re very excited that the first project will be to transform our nature garden.
“At the moment it’s unusable and in disrepair, but with help from WIN, we know that it’s going to be wonderful.”
Currently the garden is cordoned off and out of bounds to pupils.
“But with WIN’s help and vision, we hope to make it really accessible, and something that we can work on and maintain,” she said.
“It will bring the children so much closer to nature.
“It’s under trees, so we’re sure we can entice birds and butterflies in, and we’ll have raised beds so the children can grow things too.
“I can’t tell you how powerful that’s going to be for our children.”
Sue Jackson, founder of Wokingham In Need, is delighted that this first joint project with the school will be a collaborative venture.
“We’re very keen to partner with other groups,” she said.
“WIN works with a number of other charities, including Freely Fruity, and The Link Visiting Scheme.
“And now we’re delighted to have this new partnership with Windmill Primary School.
“It’s such a natural alliance, and we have so much in common.
“Our own strapline is ‘Working Together’, and what did I see in huge letters on the wall of the school hall when I first visited? ‘Growing and Learning Together’.”
Poppy agreed: “Both organisations have worked so hard, and look how far we’ve come.
“We’re so excited about the things we will be able to do together, and it has given us both an extra boost.”
On winning the Gold UNICEF award, Poppy said: “It’s absolutely fantastic.
“It’s been such a long journey, and the children and staff worked so hard.
“It’s not easy to achieve, and we’re the only school in the borough to have one.
“It demonstrates that children’s rights are not only known and understood here, but embedded in the school.
“They’re in every aspect of school life; for example in the way children stand up for themselves and each other, or in restoration work when things go wrong in the playground.
“You can see the difference it makes when you walk around the school.
“Children understand not only their own rights to an education, but the rights of their classmates too.
“So even if they are feeling a bit out of sorts, they understand that they can’t let that impact anybody else, or stop them from learning.
“Instead, they’ll seek out an adult to give them the help and nurture they need.”
Sue agreed.
“It’s such a wonderful school,” she said.
“I’ve seen for myself the lovely atmosphere here, so we’re really pleased that we can help improve the school’s garden and create a place where youngsters can learn and grow.”
On winning the KAVS award, she said: “We’re so delighted to have won it – it’s almost unbelievable.”
Celebrating the new alliance were special guests Wokingham Borough Mayor Cllr Carol Jewell, and her deputy Cllr Alwyn Jones.
Cllr Jewell said: “Alliance is definitely the way to go – it’s great for both organisations.”
Picture shows Cllr Carol Jewel, Peter Izod, class teacher Mr Jones, deputy head teacher Poppy Bond, class teacher Nicola Cotter, Cllr Alwyn Jones, and Sue Jackson.
For information, visit: windmillschool.org and wokinghaminneed.com
