We have a fantastic school gardener and the children are very much involved in improving and maintaining the school grounds.  Below is the latest news:

Herb Wheel and Gardening Club

In October the Herb Wheel near the Kitchen was cleared and replanted with the help of the children from the Gardening Club.   Here is a photograph of all the children involved.  Every one of these children has attended the club each week and I think Mrs Bryant who helps us will agree that all involved have had lots of fun.

The children have proved themselves extremely hardworking and enthusiastic. They have contributed a great deal not only in the effort they have put in to the school gardens, but in making my job even more rewarding.  Some examples of the work they have undertaken are listed below:

• Weeding/digging and spreading manure on vegetable plots;
• Repotting plants we did not want to lose;
• Planting bulbs in tubs and preparing a few baskets for the Christmas Bazaar.
• Making an insect habitat for hibernating insects
• Making the Christmas decoration in the main front entrance porch.

This year we start preparing for the growing season and are thinking of ideas on how to incorporate an Olympic theme over by the poly tunnel.

Bulb Planting

I had a busy week preparing and planting bulbs for the school ‘Bulb Planting’ with children from every class in the school.  I would like to say this was a great success but want to hold tight until something starts to grow!  However, the children and parents were extremely generous and we had many bulbs to plant.   I initially tried dibbing the bulbs into the turf, which not only was hard work proved near impossible with some of the larger bulbs.  However, two classes in and I adopted a new approach of lifting squares of turf and planting them in clumps and then placing the turf back.  This was so much better!

Reception Vegetables

The Reception classes are taking part in the ‘Rocket Garden Schools’ programme.  This is where vegetable and salad crops were chosen and posted by Rocket Gardens to be planted and harvested during term times.  This corner of the Reception playground is looking extremely healthy and the children will be able to harvest some of the plants very soon.   In the early weeks when the plants needed more care and attention the children were always keen to help with the watering and are asking lots of questions whenever I appear in their playground.

Willow Dome

With all the leaves gone I have had the opportunity of reweaving the Willow Dome, which is now complete.  A few logs have been placed inside to encourage the children to sit rather than charge through and I have removed the safety tape so it is officially ‘Open’.  Now the children will get a chance to play in it and I can see if it is sturdy enough.

Mella Watts,

School Gardener

Year 1 had a very successful Christmas play performing The Gingerbread Man.  They sang, danced and performed incrediably well, making their teachers and parents very proud.  Well done Year 1!

The Reception classes have performed their Christmas play ‘Whoops-a-daisy angel’ to their families. All the children sang and danced beautifully! The play was a great success and got everyone in the mood for a very happy Christmas!

There’s some great websites and podcasts here that can help your child at home. Come and take a look!

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