One of the biggest projects undertaken by staff members of RBS International, under the Bank's 'Get Your Hands Dirty' initiative,' is now finished and has transformed the environment at St. Mary's School in Douglas.
The scheme was in two parts and took about a year to complete. Firstly, the plan was to provide and plant out two raised garden beds, one containing herbs and fruit and the other featuring varieties such as lavender and thyme, chosen for their fragrance. Both beds are being maintained by the children.
Second part of the programme involved the construction and painting of a mural on a 20 metres section of bare wall underneath the school's balcony area. It was decided this should be carried out under the theme of Noah's Ark.
Designs were produced by the Bank staff - notably Leanne Mathews - which were approved by Head Teacher Tim Short. Animals such as pandas, zebras, monkeys and tigers then began to make their appearance. When the Bank volunteers had completed the painting, facilities management company Prospero attached the nine separate boards to the wall.
The whole school turned out for the official photo shoot to unveil the project and the starring role - for obvious reasons - was handed to Year 3 pupil Noah Tonks who can be seen in the picture standing proudly alongside the Ark which bears his name.
Said Mr. Short: 'This was a major project carried out by the wonderful team at RBS International which has enhanced the school environment tremendously. It was especially nice that virtually all the staff members involved were either parents with children at St. Mary's or were former pupils - some of whom I have not seen for ten or twelve years.
'They all worked very hard but I can assure them their efforts are much appreciated. The flower beds are being maintained by the school's gardening club. The pupils are being encouraged to smell the plants in the fragrant garden while the herbs we grow are already been used by St. Mary's cooking staff.'
The original nomination under the Bank scheme came from Melody Potenciano who works in the Payments Section of RBS International and who has a son at St. Mary's. She said: 'We all helped each other and probably the hardest part of the project was the time spent painting the mural.
'I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who made this project possible. I am so proud and happy for what we have achieved for the school. Thumbs up to everyone concerned for a job well done.'
Although other Bank staff also helped out from time to time the bulk of the work was done by Melody Potenciano, Suzanne Fargher, Christopher Clague, Bob Whitcher, Elizabeth Shimmin, Chris Cosgrave, Sabrina Cosgrave and Sarah Dawson.
The principle behind the Get Your Hands Dirty Community Scheme is that Bank staff put forward environmental projects for consideration. Those chosen receive a donation to get the project off the ground but further developments take place as and when staff have raised sufficient money by their own efforts to carry them out. Employees are allowed time away from work to undertake the initiative but in reality many also often give up their lunch-breaks and leisure time to progress the work.
