PUPILS, teachers and the PTA beamed with pride at the opening ceremony of their new outdoor classroom.

The pupils of Cupernham Junior School Council wrote to their Parent Teacher Association (PTA) for support in fundraising £10,000 for a new outdoor learning space in March 2022.

Just over a year on, the outdoor classroom was officially opened on Friday, July 7 as 340 pupils, teachers, Cupernham ward councillors, Romsey’s MP and PTA gathered on the field.

Acting head Miss Jade Hendry opened the special assembly, telling everyone: “Not many schools have one of these so we are extremely lucky”.

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Hampshire Chronicle: Star fundraiser Gabby PattisonStar fundraiser Gabby Pattison (Image: Adele Bouchard)

Year five pupil Gabby Pattison and MP Caroline Nokes cut the ribbon on the new facility with Gabby raising more than £2,000 by running a mile a day for 26 days, in what she called ‘Gabbython’.

The young fundraiser was even joined by her MP on FaceTime for one of the miles, with Ms Nokes running in Iceland while Gabby completed her challenge in Romsey.

The star pupil said: “We’ll get to do a lot of learning outside and it will also be great at break times for some more shade. I feel really proud of the money we raised.

“I didn’t know I was going to be cutting the ribbon. It was exciting but I didn’t want to show off in front of my friends.”

Ms Nokes said: “It’s a brilliant initiative and such an important opportunity for children to learn in an outdoor space. I didn’t know it would look so beautiful. Hopefully, it will be a lasting legacy of everyone’s hard work.”

Hampshire Chronicle: MP Caroline Nokes and year five Gabby ready to cut the ribbonMP Caroline Nokes and year five Gabby ready to cut the ribbon (Image: Adele Bouchard)

Other special guests included Cllr Rohit Kohli and former mayor Cllr Neil Gwynne. Cllr Kohli said: “It’s great to be here on such a beautiful day and see the new classroom which will be a place for kids to learn about nature and the environment.”

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Typically, the team of five on the PTA raises £4,500 a year, with £3,000 being committed to support school, covering expenses like school trips so £10,000 was a big step up.

The PTA was awarded £1,000 from the Cupernham Cllr Community grant, £1,000 from the Waitrose Community Partners via the Nature and Environment funding scheme, £500 Co-Op Neighbourly Donation scheme as well as £4,000 from the first Cupernham Schools’ fireworks event in partnership with the Infant School and friends of Cupernham Infant School (FOCUS).

Hampshire Chronicle: Cupernham Junior School's opening ceremony for the outdoor classroomCupernham Junior School's opening ceremony for the outdoor classroom (Image: Adele Bouchard)

PTA member and parent to two pupils, Leonie Randles, said: “It’s a bit of a mic drop moment. We are so proud of what we have achieved and overwhelmingly heart-warmed by the support of the school and the surrounding community.

“The pupils put together a lovely plea for something they really wanted. The kids love it. There was a group of girls in year four that made and sold bracelets and then we had the junior marathon too. The children could really see what their money was going towards.

“I’ve got my eldest leaving the school and youngest still in it so I hope it leaves a substantial legacy.”