May 2, 2025
What lays beneath?
As part of Science Day Chestnut Class and Rowan Class buried some organic and non-organic items the day before we broke up for Easter. On our return we dug up our buried ‘treasure’ to see what had happened. We had buried an apple core, some leaves, a plastic bottle and a polystyrene egg. Over Easter the leaves had disintegrated; the apple was still there but you could see bugs on it, eating it. However, the plastic bottle and polystyrene egg were both fully intact with no sign of deterioration. We had learnt that plastic litter can take decades and decades to degrade – making it really important to recycle plastic so that it can be re-used rather than destroying the environment and being a danger to all sorts of wildlife.
Mar 21, 2025
Rowan class have had a great few days. We have had the Sensory Trust: we planted small plants and seeds. We have also had a great time tie-dying this week as part of our Holi celebrations. We used up the dye to create items for Mountjoy Market Place next week. We are always thinking of ways we can reduce, reuse and recycle.
Mar 7, 2025
Rowan, Juniper and Oak had an amazing 2 night residential to Magdalen Farm. We enjoyed orienteering, feeding pigs, goats, chickens and cows. We also made smoothies on the blender bikes, built dens in the woods, made pizzas in the outdoor wood oven, collected eggs, sang songs around the camp fire, star gazed and of course ate lots of lovely food. We were really looked after by all the Magdalen staff especially our guide: Tilda. Your young people were exemplary and did us all proud.
Nov 21, 2024
Rowan have been visiting Kingcombe Wildlife Centre every Tuesday this term. We’ve had a great time working towards our Silver Outdoor Learning Award. Some of the activities have included; river dipping, a 1 mile walk, bird watching, identifying of plants, trees, and wild animals. The students have thoroughly enjoyed themselves and have blossomed learning outdoors.
H said “Going to Kingcombe made me feel calm and relaxed”, E said “My favourite activity was river dipping even if the water was cold!”. G said “I enjoyed getting stuck in the mud and my friends helping me escape!”
We finished off our outdoor activities this week staying in school having a fire on the backfield cooking “Smores” and drinking hot chocolate.
Oct 18, 2024
Today, we had a great visit from SSCO Albert Pepper and SSCO Stuart Hann to talk to our older students regarding online safety. They spoke to the students about how to stay safe and how to speak to each other whilst online but also who to talk to if they are at school or at home and are worried about anything they see or hear. All the students were great and answered questions and scenarios with enthusiasm.
Jul 16, 2024
On Friday Chestnut & Rowan visited Sandsfoot beach in Weymouth for a kayaking session run by Weymouth Outdoor Education Centre . Most of the students had either never kayaked or only done it once before. After helmets and life jackets were on the first group set to sea with the WOEC staff all learning how to hold the paddle and navigate their way around the small cove before swapping to the next group, confidence grew within each student and everyone enjoyed the morning. A picnic followed in the gardens above the bay.
