St Gabriel's College, a school in north Belfast, is located in Ardoyne, an area of marked civil unrest and economic challenges including multiple generation deprivation. Many of its pupils have been witness to petrol-bombing and rioting - not least during the recent dispute surrounding Holy Cross school, which the college backs on to. The college has looked to improve the school quadrangle as well as to provide extra care by setting up an After School's Conservation Club. The club meets every Thursday throughout the school year and the pupils are eager to get stuck in, even when cold and raining. As many as 25 children attend and are involved in activities such as tree planting, shrub planting and painting. One of the club's most celebrated achievements has been the design, construction and planting of raised beds in the shape of a dove and a cross - two prominent symbols from the school crest and a willow dome.
The members have benefited from training
at the Clandeboye centre run by Conservation Volunteers Northern Ireland. One teacher explains: 'Essentially, this is about children
for once in their lives being told they're good
at something and is an important catalyst to self-development.'
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