Forest School
Academic Year 2024 2025
Activities in Forest School during the first half of the Autumn term have included pupils making handmade bird feeders which were placed around different areas of Forest School.
Using natural materials found outside, pupils made maps of the different role play areas that have been created in Forest School including a café, cinema, gym, house, hotel and spa! The younger children made a mud painting of the Creation story.
Before half term, pupils made Halloween themed nature crafts. Year 2 and 3 enjoyed making spider webs using sticks and twine, while Year 5 and 6 had fun using leaves and pinecones to make bats. Everybody worked well in their teams to build a variety of different shelters made from both tarpaulins and natural materials.
At the start of the Spring Term Class 5/6 enjoyed building new dens using natural materials, as well as enhancing previously built shelters too. The frosty weather was a perfect opportunity for the children to make some winter recipes in the mud kitchen. The children worked hard to ensure that there was no litter around the site and that all pathways were clear and safe for future sessions. Well done, Class 5/6!
The following week the ckass enjoyed taking part in some shelter building activities and some tool work using the pruning saw. The children are taking more ownership over St Joseph's Forest School and how they want it to look which is lovely to see! Well done to Viola and Ava who were this week's Forest School stars.
Pupils in Class 5/6 have also talked with their School Council members about what they would like to see in St Joseph's Forest School. The children suggested some lovely ideas for enhancing the area further. It was great to see the children build confidence using tools such as the bowsaw, pruning saw, palm drill and whittling tools. They impressed Miss Ollerton with their creativity and teamwork skills whilst outdoors. On the menu in the Forest Hotel this week was seasonal soup, cheese tasting and a range of different seasonal drinks! Well done to Effie who was this week's Forest School Star!
