State winner "FROM GREY TO GREEN"

Meerane International Grammar School has taken the competition motto "GREY MAKES GREEN" almost literally. Where today there is a large, park-like school site in the center of Meerane, a few years ago there were still industrial buildings. These were demolished by the town of Meerane and the land thus gained was handed over to the school for design and use.

In recent years, this area has been developed into a lively school garden that blends harmoniously with the school building and is integrated into everyday school life. This was done on the basis of surveys of the pupils and teachers on the use of the school grounds.

Various uses are planned for the garden. In addition to a green classroom, there is also the option for other classes to move their lessons outdoors. Sports and leisure facilities have been created in the garden area for lessons and leisure activities and are actively used. A snack garden has been planted and rainwater is collected for irrigation. In keeping with tradition, fruit trees are planted every year by the new 5th graders. The fruit also serves as a popular snack. A beautiful pond provides a habitat for various amphibians. Insects find plenty of food and habitat in the school garden.

The school has also recently started producing its own honey with several bee colonies and processing and selling beeswax to make candles and lip balms. This in turn benefits the next purchases for the school grounds. The school company also prepares healthy meals using the harvest.

The garden still has plenty of potential for further development. For example, the seating areas in the school courtyard are to be redesigned with raised beds and an amphitheater is to be built near the pond. The initial earthworks have already been carried out. Greening and shading of the sports and fitness facilities should be considered so that they can also be used on hotter days
.

We would like to congratulate the International High School Meerane on winning the 12th Saxon School Garden Competition. The school has implemented the competition's motto "FROM GREY TO GREEN!" in an exemplary manner.

We wish them every success in implementing the other ideas in the school environment design and lots of fun using their green oasis.