Leeds pupils at Calverley CE Primary School plant 23 trees in 50-year celebration

On Thursday, students of Calverley CE Primary School were joined by a teaching assistant who planted the original trees in 1973. Christine Sully began her career at the primary school as a lunchtime playground assistant a year prior and worked as a teaching assistant until she retired in 2004.

Christine told the Yorkshire Evening Post that every member working in the school at the time was asked to plant a tree. She said: “I wouldn’t say I’m an environmentalist or anything, I just enjoy nature. I’ve been known to be a sun-worshipper.”

Looking around at the trees she helped plant, Christine added: “I think it's wonderful how they have all flourished. Only very few look to have died over the years.”

Prepped with wellington boots, winter coats and gloves, children of all classes spent the morning handling shovels sometimes bigger than themselves, finding worms and planting different types of trees across the school’s field. Christine, who bought the shovel she used to plant the trees with 50 years ago, added: “There are just so many happy memories here. I am pleased that things are being carried on.”

Chair of Governors Rachel Rudman added: “It’s been absolutely delightful to see all the children getting involved – adding to the community by planting trees. It’s just great to be a part of.”

The kids were accompanied by Mark Harkins, a retired NHS worker and member of the Woodlands Trust. Mark offers his free time to promote the greenery and biodiversity of Calverley Primary School and ensure the kids are directly benefiting from their time in nature. Mark has successfully achieved this by creating an outdoor classroom where all teachers are encouraged to take their lessons outdoors.

Mark said: "I want to get children involved with the environment and not tomorrow – today. The sense of achievement the kids will get when the trees have grown will be great. Apart from that, it’s just great fun!”

Since it has been 50 years since the plant-a-tree initiative began in 1973, Mark told the YEP that he and the school wanted to celebrate the initiative by starting the 2023 with 23 new trees in the field. The school will also be taking on many new initiatives in the coming years. To help provide the classrooms with some shade and reduce the temperature during the summer, the school will be planting tall trees around the perimeter.

The school has previously grown potatoes but also want to grow more of their own vegetables to make jams, pies and soaps. Diane Chamberlain, also a member of the Green Team, says they hope to discuss how to involve outdoor activities within the curriculum to ensure kids get out in nature.

Christine encourages children to get involved with nature. When asked about advice she would give to children she said: “Don’t be frightened to get your hands dirty. Get stuck in. There’s much to admire when you’ve done the hard work - you can step back and watch things blossom now.”