Pupils at St Margaret’s Primary School in Galashiels have won second prize in a national Care for Creation competition organised by the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland.
The school received £150 in the annual Design a Garden competition, run by the BCoS Care of Creation Office in partnership with the Scottish Catholic Education Service and with sponsorship from the Knights of St Columba.
The pupils developed their school garden around the theme, “From God’s hands we have received a Garden”, with ideas designed to encourage wildlife and make the space enjoyable for the whole school.
Their work included installing a hedgehog house, planting potatoes, creating a wildlife pond and bug hotel, and planting sustainable perennial flowers. The pupils also collected seeds, watered wildflowers and harvested rainwater using recycled materials.
The project has already begun to attract wildlife, with flowers drawing insects and, to the pupils’ delight, a hedgehog taking up residence in the new hedgehog house.
The garden has also become a place the children enjoy spending time in.
Primary 3 pupil Cara said: “It is lovely to go to the Garden!”, while Ben said he enjoys bird spotting and Hallie is looking forward to the strawberries.
Archbishop Cushley has written to the school to congratulate pupils and staff on their achievement.
Melissa Gavan, Archdiocesan RE Advisor for Primary Schools, said: “Congratulations to the pupils and staff of St Margaret’s Primary School’s Gardening Club on this wonderful achievement.
“Their garden is a beautiful example of the spirit of the Season of Creation and of our shared responsibility to care for our common home.
“The late Pope Francis reminded us so powerfully that care for creation is part of our Christian vocation, and it is encouraging to see our young people putting that message into practice with such imagination, enthusiasm and care.”
The competition is now in its third year and encourages Catholic primary schools across Scotland to think creatively about caring for creation and developing outdoor spaces that support wildlife and sustainability.
St Patrick’s Primary in Troon won 1st prize in the competition.
The Season of Creation runs from 1 September to 4 October 2026, bringing Christians together in prayer and action for our common home. The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland is holding a Season of Creation Conference this Saturday (5 September), 10am–3pm, at Eyre Hall, Archdiocese of Glasgow Offices, Clyde Street, Glasgow. Keynote speaker Lorna Gold, Executive Director of the Laudato Si’ Movement, will be joined by workshops looking at practical ways for parishes, schools and communities to involve young people and parish groups in caring for our common home. Register here.
