Usk Church in Wales Primary headteacher Victoria Evans has praised the local community for its response to the vandalism of a shed used as an outdoor role play area within the school grounds.
The building was severely damaged after a break-in during the summer holidays but pupils can now carry on as usual thanks to a number of generous gestures which have resulted in the donation of not one, but two new sheds.
Mrs Evans said: "We were devastated to discover the damage but very much heartened by the way that the Usk community rallied around. We were overwhelmed by offers of help to restore the damaged shed but unfortunately it was beyond repair. A group of parents – Messrs Davies, Lewis, Yeoman and Abbeglen – helped to clear up the mess and the resourceful Mrs Kay Peacock, our school crossing officer and gardener instigated a social media campaign to raise funds for a replacement."
The campaign drew the attention of local timber merchant ALS trading who donated a new playhouse and Newport solicitors Collingbourne Hennah Law who chipped in with a substantial donation, enabling the school to purchase a new shed for its flourishing garden. Both buildings were in place little over a month after the act of vandalism.
Mrs Evans added: "The school is extremely grateful to ALS Trading Ltd and Collingbourne Hennah Law for providing us with two lovely new sheds that have already been used to good effect. We're delighted by the response of the local community and I'd like to especially mention the contribution of Mrs Peacock for heading the drive for a replacement building. Pupils were dismayed by the mindless vandalism but they're now overjoyed by our new sheds. These currently feature in the Foundation Phase outdoor learning area and the school allotment."
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