Forest School
The latest news from Pre-School and Prep
Rydal Penrhos is excited to announce that it has been awarded The Woodland Trust's Gold Award, in the latest demonstration of our commitment to nature and the local environment.
During the Autumn Term, Pre-School and Prep pupils took part in the Go Green in Fifteen Challenge run by the Woodland Trust. This enabled the school to receive sufficient points to receive the gold award. The challenge involved completing at least 5 out of the 15 challenges to receive 5 points.
Challenge: Become Tree Trackers
Our Reception and Year 1 class used the Woodland Trust spotter sheets to identify trees by their leaves in the Forest School. They studied their different colours, shapes and sizes and learned about the difference between deciduous and evergreen trees.
Challenge: Do a Lesson in the Fresh Air
Our Year 6 pupils held an English lesson in the Forest School as part of their work on poetry for National Poetry Day, which followed the theme of Refuge and Refugees.
The pupils built ‘lifeboats’ using natural materials from the forest to carry them across metaphorical water to ‘safety’. They also chose a precious object which they then carried across the water in their lifeboats.
The activity enabled them to understand emotions such as stress and worry, and how working together they experienced joy. They appreciated the need for shelter, help and kindness. Afterwards, they reflected on their experiences by composing their own poems.
Challenge: Take Books Outside
Reception and Year 1 pupils enjoyed listening to the story of ‘The Lost Acorns’ by Nick Butterworth while sitting under our large oak tree. They then explored the tree by feeling the bark and hunting for acorns on the ground around the tree. They planted the acorns they collected to grow new oak trees.
Challenge: Make a Piece of Natural Art
As part of our Forest School Club, our KS1 pupils listened to the story of ‘The Owl’s Lesson’ by Nick Butterworth and then created owl and squirrel pictures on the ground using natural materials from the forest.
Challenge: Enjoy a Themed Show and Tell
Our Pre-School held a Show and Tell activity with a focus on nature and animals. They were encouraged to bring in things they had made at home, such as an object from nature, or a photograph to show themselves in nature. Some children sent in photos of themselves in a forest or on the beach!
Challenge: Celebrate a Special Tree
As part of our Year 2 Forest School activities, the children discussed National Tree Week to understand why it is celebrated and why trees are important. They used their senses to understand trees in different ways. First, they all hugged the tree as a group. Next, they were blindfolded and discussed how the tree felt and smelt. After that, in threes, they were blindfolded and led to a tree, which they felt and then had to try and find the same tree without the blindfold.
Meanwhile, Year 1 explored the vital roles trees play in nature. They learned about the diverse benefits trees offer, from providing shade and habitat to combating climate change. Through a visit to the forest, they observed trees up close, collected leaves, and created detailed drawings of their favourite trees, enhancing their appreciation of nature's wonders.
On Thursday 8 February, Rydal Penrhos joined thousands of schools across the UK in participating in the Big Schools' Birdwatch 2024, organized by the RSPB.The initiative tasked pupils to survey the diversity and abundance of birds visiting the school grounds within a one-hour period.In a heart-warming example of collaboration between different year groups, pupils from Year 1 and Year 6 joined together to craft their own bird feeders, before finishing with toast and hot chocolate by the warm glow of the Forest School fire.This was a brilliant example of some of the aspects that make Rydal Penrhos an exceptional environment for children and young people. Well done to all the pupils involved. A great Forest School activity that combined fun, learning and friendship!