THE children and staff of Lew Trenchard School say a big thank you everybody who has helped to buy new equipment and resources for their school.

Fundraising by the 'Friends of Lew Trenchard' (FLS) has helped to buy new playground equipment which includes a basketball shute, a tyre park and a wooden boat. The boat has been named after the famous Royal Navy aircraft carrier, HMS Ark Royal, but the school hopes no aircraft will attempt to land on it!

The pre-school has funded a new playhouse for the playground that the younger children love to play in. The tyre park also doubles as an outside classroom in the summer.

The school would also like to thank local builder, Tony Worth, for sponsoring the football team's new kit, which is bright and eye catching.

Other funding has enabled the school to have the playground re-surfaced and the children are eagerly awaiting the new playground markings that are due later this month. (March).

A new bike shed has also been installed and the school's aim to encourage children and staff to cycle to school — three staff members are already taking to two wheels and Bikeability training has been arranged for later in the term.