Canopy and Sensory Garden Grand Opening

It was a huge day at Victoria yesterday as we hosted VIPs and special guests for the grand opening of two of our school’s latest features. The new canopy which runs from the main school to Carmel has been on our wish list for many years and now, thanks to the hard work and generosity of many of our friends, it is finally a reality.

We had the pleasure of welcoming Lord Shaftesbury to cut the ribbon as well as the Mayor of Poole, Councillor Sean Gabriel. Our special guests included notable donors, The Talbot Trust, The Bournemouth and Parkstone Rotary Club, The Can-Am Car Club, The Pirates of Poole, Hart Tarmac, Roger Parsons, The Sporting Bears and Sue Hurd. There are so many people to thank it would be impossible to name them all here but we are so grateful to you.

The work was completed over the summer break and will enable students to traverse the site in bad weather without getting wet.

Today we also officially opened our new sensory garden. The funding for this project was very kindly donated by Debbie and Steve Francis following the death of their parents. Debbie cut the ribbon to open the garden which will be a lasting tribute to their parents and will go on to support our students for many years to come. Staff and school friends have also contributed to setting up the garden and we would like to thank Hazel Noyon and Louise Card (plus her husband and family) for the planting and setting out of the sensory items. The design team were Jen Williams, Amy Hunt, Margaret Hopwood, Alison Calcutt, Vicky Gregory, Peter Coleman, and Sue Stratis. We also had the input from some specialist companies including JWC who built our woodland walk.

Head Teacher Simon Brown said: “Victoria Education Centre is proud to be supported by a wonderful tribe of family, friends, staff, community partners and donors.  Without their generous help and support – these things just aren’t possible.

Our new sensory garden opens up all sorts of new learning and discovery opportunities for students. And the covered walk way helps students – some of which have a range of mobility needs – to get around the school without getting soaked in the rain.

Thank you to all involved and to Lord Shaftesbury for officially opening these new facilities today.”