What a fabulous first week we’ve all enjoyed being back outside together.
Nursery children enjoyed a walk through the butterfly garden and climbing the small wall at the far end. They were slightly disappointed not to see any butterflies, but it’s not really warm enough yet in the mornings to see them. They identified nettles and were careful to walk around them, then stopped to admire some holes the rabbits had been digging. They went on to look for minibeasts under dead bark, finding various sizes of snail shells, some occupied, and lots of things that scurried too fast to be identified!
Year 2 had some serious forest maintenance to do before enjoying free time for self directed adventure. During our absence, the dispersed seeds from the trees have started to root and grow into saplings. To avoid overcrowding, the children set about pulling the saplings from the soil.
As it was St George’s day and the Reception children were learning all about ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’, they built the Giant’s castle out of things found on the woodland floor. They put themselves into small groups and worked extremely well together, planning and collecting materials for their castles. Upon completion they walked around the site, allowing each group to talk about their castle. The results were impressive, there were moats, flags, drawbridges and turrets, as well as a smattering of cannons and weaponry!
“I was very proud of the teamwork demonstrated and respect for the other groups, shown by our Reception class. Well done!”
Year 1 spent a very pleasant Friday afternoon in the woodland sunshine, recapping Forest School boundaries and exploring the site. All the children were amazed to see how nature has reclaimed the pathways while they’ve been away.
Mrs Wilson
