Outdoor Learning Areas at CETNS
We are very lucky here in Castleknock Educate Together to have fantastic school grounds including our much loved school field where our classes enjoy spending their break times.
Our outdoor learning areas include our school orchard, school pond, swift nesting boxes, herb & vegetable garden, polytunnel, multisensory garden, our school field and an outdoor classroom with seating. Our school field is planted with native trees and shrubs. The Phoenix Park, the Royal Canal and Ashtown Nature Reserve are also on our doorstep and a walk away!
We enjoy growing and harvesting our own school fruit and vegetables.
We also liaise with Castleknock Tidy Towns and undertake joint projects in our local community.
Swift Conservation Effort in CETNS
Thanks to Castleknock Tidy Towns Committee, CETNS are part of a very exciting swift conservation project. In 2020, a colony of small birds called swifts were discovered in Castleknock village. As the numbers of swifts are declining, Castleknock Tidy Towns Committee applied for funding for swift conservation measures. Four local schools were chosen to host nesting boxes. 2 swift nesting boxes have been installed beside the outdoor classroom in CETNS in April 2021 as part of the Castleknock swift conservation effort. These special nesting boxes will each house 3 pairs of swifts. The nestboxes have a calling system to attract swifts to move into CETNS. We can’t wait to welcome some feathered friends to our school! Read more about Ireland’s Swift conservation efforts here -https://birdwatchireland.ie/publications/saving-swifts-guide/