Spring At Last!

As I write this in May the flowers on the plat are in full bloom.

Primroses between the rows

Carpets of violets

Bluebells in the woods

April was a busy month, with two school visits. First to come was Shipbourne Primary.

  

SHIPBOURNE PRIMARY SCHOOL

Teachers, classroom assistants and  helper Mums accompanied the entire school - all 56 of them - Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 children.  I was especially pleased to welcome them as my own children are 'old boys' of this school and I have fond memories of that happy time.

The children arrived on a damp and misty morning

They split into groups to visit six different points on the plat for a variety of activities and exploration  guided by a volunteer.  The children joined in the activities with enthusiasm.

At the end of the morning the children were ready for their packed lunches.....

 And the volunteers lined up for a photo-opportunity.

Then it was time to leave

....and there was plenty of energy left for a run down the hill....

....before setting off on foot for a muddy walk, past Ightham Mote and across the fields to Shipbourne.

The teachers reported that all returned safely, tired - especially the little ones - but happy with their day.  The children sent lovely thank you letters and told us about the things they had enjoyed most on their day at the plat.

IGHTHAM SCHOOL

Later the same week we welcomed  'Chestnut Class' 

from Ightham Primary School, children of Key Stage 1.

Susanne, who designed worksheets and guidance notes for both school visits, had the children fascinated by mini-beasts, fungi and rabbit holes.

 


The children from both schools collected treasures and trophies which included nuts that had been nibbled by mice or squirrels - and by the end of the morning the children could tell the difference.  For some children the experience of weaving a bug hotel with Tony was the highlight of the day, for others it was finding a hawk-moth with Penny,  looking at spiders' webs and a wasps' nest with Carole or making a guess at the number of nut trees on the plat with Richard. We think they all found something interesting and memorable to give a special bond with the natural world.

Look what I found!

Counting heads!

Soon it was time to line up and count heads before returning to school and we hope they will come again!

A SAMPLE OF THE THANK-YOU LETTERS AND DRAWINGS FROM THE CHILDREN

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LETTERS!

Thanks also, and especially, to Susanne for preparing the ground for the visits with guidance notes, worksheets and activities. They are resources which we now hold for use and adaptation for future school visits.