Future generations will get a glimpse of life in East Dunbartonshire through the eyes of our Additional Support Needs pupils when a time capsule that has been buried at their brand new school in Waterside, Kirkintilloch is eventually unearthed.
When the new £34.9m Woodland View School opens in August, pupils and staff from Campsie View and Merkland Schools will come together to work, learn and play in the modern, fully-equipped building.
To commemorate this milestone, they filled and buried a time capsule on the site of the new school. Among the objects included for posterity are items of school uniform from Merkland and Campsie View schools, pottery made by the pupils and a memory stick containing videos made by pupils during lockdown in which they talk about their aspirations for their new school.
There are also pictures and drawings of the new school, an anniversary flag from main contractor McLaughlin and Harvey, a Council lapel badge and a newspaper.
Leader of East Dunbartonshire Council, Gordan Low, helped bury the historical item. He said,
This is an exciting project for the children and young people to be involved in. Construction of Woodland View School is a big story for future local history books, and it is great that the pupils are playing such an active part in it. They have chosen the items well and it is fascinating to imagine how and when it might be opened in decades to come.
Headteacher of Woodland View School, Ms Hunter, said, “We had great fun deciding what to put in the time capsule with lots of interesting and creative ideas from the children. They were keen to include their own artwork and pottery which is a lovely touch. The memory stick contains lockdown videos and it was an emotional job putting it all together. Burying it all under the new school was a thrill for the pupils and another great experience for them.”
Gary McLeary, Project Manager at McLaughlin & Harvey Construction Ltd, said, “It was fantastic to welcome the students back to site to bury their time capsule. It’s been a pleasure to be involved with the students and staff throughout the project journey and see their excitement develop at the same rate as the build. Furthermore, it’s been an honour to be able to plant some memories of McLaughlin and Harvey along with the school’s, particularly during our historic 170th year.”
The new school will accommodate around 200 children and young people from ages 2- 18 when it opens in August 2023.
It has been designed to be both practical and stimulating for pupils who have a broad range of additional support needs, featuring lots of open spaces, a sensory trail leading from ground to first floor and extra wide lifts for wheelchair users.
There is an emphasis on outdoor play with landscaping and a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA). There will also be a full-size grass football pitch and biodiversity area available for community use.
