During the Easter holidays, Mr Russell and seven families from the Junior School set about installing a new garden at the Katherine Low Settlement centre in Battersea. The KLS outdoor area had been in desperate need of some love and care for years. Mr Russell and Annabel Bennett, the manager at KLS, had discussed how best to help the local members of the community. Considering many members of KLS had endured loneliness and isolation for over a year, a brand-new garden area seemed like a logical next step for coming out of lockdown.

The Spring Steps initiative was launched in the Junior School with all proceeds going towards a new garden area. All girls were invited to enter a garden design competition to help with the new creation of outdoor space. Alisa D’Alesio in Year 3 won with an incredible effort producing a poster to include her unique vision for what the garden should look like. The Junior School had successfully smashed their sponsorship target enabling them to purchase even more garden furniture, plants, flowers, herbs, bunting, and decking troughs to house the new features.

On the 9th April, the day of installation arrived with parents and girls raring to get to work. Gardening gloves at the ready, Mr Russell and his team began weeding, planting, potting and painting until the final piece was complete.

Congratulations to all girls in the Junior School for their hard-earned sponsorship through Spring Steps with many family members also getting involved with the challenge. A special thank you to the Bianchis, the Davis family, the Lewis Williams, the Simmons, the Sandfords, the Castels, and the Champalimauds.