Friendship blossoms on new Ladybank bench

Some of the Ladybank youngsters trying out the bench, with P3/4 teacher Zara Gallacher (left), Tesco community champion Elaine Brailsford and local MP Stephen Gethins.

A team of staff – led by store community champion Elaine Brailsford – got involved with the school after a phone call from North East Fife MP Stephen Gethins.

Boys and girls in P3/4 wrote to Stephen to tell him about their plan to revamp the garden area by adding a friendship bench and some colourful planters. Youngsters were keen to bring in the bench to encourage pupils from different classes to talk to each other at lunchtime and to make new friends in the process.

The bench was donated by the Tesco maintenance team at Ground Control and Dobbies also provided compost and plants.

With help from Tesco colleagues, pupils rolled up their sleeves to paint the bench a rainbow of bright colours and made Minions characters from old tyres. P2/3 pupils also helped with the tyres and children from all classes were involved in the planting and sowing of wild flowers.

Laura Munro, acting head teacher at Ladybank, said: “The outdoor area is such an important part of the school day and the curriculum. It’s so important that youngsters get outside and communicate. The boys and girls are absolutely delighted with the new-look garden and I’m sure it will help a lot of friendships to blossom this summer.”