After lunch, it was time for “Camouflage caterpillars”. Amongst the grass were hidden some coloured “caterpillars”. The children had the task of finding all 40. Some were trickier to find than others because of their colour. The children discussed how colour might help an animal blend in with their environment.

The children were then shown how to make a seed pot out of newspaper and each child planted a sunflower to grow at school.

Mrs White

Mrs Heslop

The boys and girls loved making fans and using hair dryers to move objects.

On Thursday we had a flying fish race when our handmade paper fish were competing to cross the line without being touched by their owners.

Well done girls!

Mrs Cornick

The first day, as always, was a great success! Split in to three mixed groups, the children were presented with some very challenging activities and took part in a genuine learning experience. Many children realised they were terrified of heights, but were able to overcome this fear to feel the adrenaline rush as they raced across the zip-wire or climbed higher than they ever thought they could on the telegraph pole on their way to the high see-saw. Others displayed a natural ability for climbing at speed to great heights, balancing on a plank 40 feet in the air and throwing themselves from tall structures. The children learnt a great deal about both themselves and others in their group. They realised that we all have hidden talents, and those who are confident in the classroom do not necessarily rise well to a challenge when raised above ground level even though they are secure in a harness! Every child did, however, push their boundaries and achieve more than they initially thought possible.

Day 2 was led by Geology Jill in the morning, and the children discussed what plants need to grow, why rocks and soils are important, why colour is important in nature then identified different wild flowers from identification keys. Strolling along Woodpecker Walk, the sun shone as children collected snippets of different coloured leaves and flowers and made their own colour charts.

Amongst many fascinating facts from Jill, we learnt that badgers dig their own toilets and found fresh evidence as we emerged from the trees. Numerous flowers were identified but many wild plants were yet to bloom due to the awful weather so far this spring; even the leaves on many trees were yet to unfurl.

In the afternoon, Form IV identified and observed evidence of living things making their homes in Green Park. They saw rabbit holes, a fox den and many badger holes which were part of a huge set. The entrances to some holes were big enough lose a small child! The afternoon ended with the children creating a face on the trunk of a tree from a ball of clay and any natural objects they could find in the woods. It was great fun. Form III hugged a few trees and learnt various methods to calculate the height of a tree. They then departed for Griffin House, after being waved off by Form IV. Flagging, the children in Form IV consumed their afternoon donut, then with a fresh burst of energy tackled the challenges of ‘Adventure Solutions’, where they had to work as part of an effective team to work out problems to complete various activities.

I would like to say a big thank you to the children who made the trip so enjoyable. As always, I thoroughly enjoyed watching their antics and have been unwittingly provided with much ammunition with which to write my end of year reports. It is always fascinating to see the children over an extended period of time, out of school, to observe the way they cope with new challenges, and with each other.

Miss Marshall

Lurking in the understorey and forest floor were lizards, tortoises, turtles, terrapins, java sparrows, mousebirds, touracos, ducks and roulroul partridges. In various enclosures we also saw a salmon pink tarantula, toucans, hissing cockroaches, a cameleon, crocodile, HUGE carnivorous fish and stingrays, a carpet python, giant land snails and agoutis. There was also a rather splendid black bird named Luigi which made the sound of a firework to mark its territory.

The plants were beautiful and we now have a greater understanding of their fight for survival and why some of them have such massive leaves, how they are designed shape-wise so the water runs off their leaves to prevent rotting, how they capture food and prevent other things eating them. We also learnt why we don’t touch and put fingers in mouth due to poisonous or medicinal properties. I was fascinated when told about the use of dumb cane to quieten slaves who would talk too much.

The trip was fascinating and I’m sure every child is now able to talk about adaptation with much more confidence and enthusiasm.  

Miss Marshall