Figure 1.--These boys are relaxing in the gardens after a hard day of classes and games. They are having a little private joke about one of the masters--a favorite source of conversation.
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Figure 1.--These boys are relaxing in the gardens after a hard day of classes and games. They are having a little private joke about one of the masters--a favorite source of conversation. |
Many prep schools have lovely grounds. As many were founded in old manor or country houses, there are in many cases beautiful formal gardens. England was of course noted for the formal gardens at country houses. hese are not gardens a modern school would built. They are rather artifacts of the gracious living of wealthy people, mist from the 19th and early 20th centuries. chools over time varied in the attention maintaing the gardens. Many modern schools are giving more attention to maintenance and preservtion than was the case in earlier generations. This can be expensive. Today the gardens at these homes are in many cases lovingly maintained by dedicated gardners that have been with the schools for years. The children often take the gardens for granted, or at least seem to. They provide settings for quiet contemplation or coversations among friends. It is not always obvious what is going through their active little minds. At the very least the gardens create a wonderful atmopshere which can not help but affect the children. The children tend to take more of an interest in the gardens if a pond is included in the layout. Tis is especially true if the pond is stocked with goldfish which the children find especially interesting. Of course when ever water is involved, some care has to be taken with the younger children. We noticed a great variety in the gardens maintined by the schools. Many schools had no real formal gardens, but some schools had lovely ones.
Many prep schools have lovely grounds. We noticed a great variety in the gardens maintined by the schools. Many schools had no real formal gardens, but some schools had lovely ones. As many were founded in old manor or country houses, there are in many cases beautiful formal gardens. England was of course noted for the formal gardens at country houses. hese are not gardens a modern school would built. They are rather artifacts of the gracious living of wealthy people, most from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Quite a few schools have been overtaken by urban sprawl. When founded many schools were still located in the country settings where the lovely country homes were built. I many cases they have since been surrounded by suburban sprawl. This is especially the case in the London area.
Schools over time varied in the attention maintaing the gardens. Many modern schools are giving more attention to maintenance and preservtion than was the case in earlier generations. This can be expensive. And the costs limit just what the schools can do. Today the gardens at these homes are in many cases lovingly maintained by dedicated gardners that have been with the schools for years. Many schools make a careful calculation as to just what cn be achieved with the funds available.
The children often take the gardens for granted, or at least seem to. They provide settings for quiet contemplation or coversations among friends. It is not always obvious what is going through their active little minds. At the very least the gardens create a wonderful atmopshere which can not help but affect the children. The children tend to take more of an interest in the gardens if a pond is included in the layout. This is especially true if the pond is stocked with goldfish which the children find especially interesting.
Children are fascinated by fountains and ponds. The same of course is true od adults, but this seems expecially true for the children. The inclusion of these elements into formal gardens adds great interest for the children. Of course when ever water is involved, some care has to be taken with the younger children. As a result, the schools have to limit access, especially without adult supervision. The ponds involved are quite shallow, but even in shallow water accidents are possible.
