Forest School creates a space where our children can learn, explore, question and reflect. A place where they use their student voice to inspire each other and us. It’s a space where they climb, dance, laugh and play. Where joy runs wildly and freely and also sits mindfully.
Thanks to all our incredible forest school leaders and volunteers, our children have been experiencing these joyful moments for 10 incredible years! On Thursday March 20th, our school community came together for a full day of Forest School celebrations! YAY!!!!
The day started with a whole school assembly in our hall which was decorated with lovely leaves, plants and flowers. The children used their student voice to thank all the Forest School leaders and volunteers by singing their hearts out to ‘What a Wonderful World’.
Following the singalong, the children were treated to a special preview of the DSP Forest School mini – documentary in which they were the stars! There were lots of big smiles and delight as the children watched themselves and their friends on the big screen in the beautifully shot film.
Joining them in the fun and happiness were a couple of special guests. The Ombudsman for Children, Niall Muldoon told the children about his own childhood in Donegal and his experiences of visiting Forest Schools in other countries. He explained to them about the importance of being in & learning from nature. Niall’s wish is for every school to have Forest School. We agree!!!!
RTE Bushcraft expert Tom Bán got the children ready for the day of celebration ahead by telling them about the wonderful contribution they make to the environment by learning to take care of it. The children were excited to hear about Tom’s belief that DSP Forest School has a wider world context, that they can be confident in themselves that they can make a change.
After that it was time for the children to enjoy a whole day dedicated to Forest School activities! From storytelling to shelter making, treasure hunts to memory books the Forest School team made it a day for the children to remember! With the sun shining, the whole school, inside and out, was filled with happy faces and excited voices! Thank you so much to the whole Forest School Team of Jenny, Liz, Sarah, Yukki, Miriam and Aoife!
Storytelling
Shelter Building
Treasure Hunts
Memory Books
Later that evening, three school communities – Dalkey School Project, Monkstown Educate Together and Dun Laoghaire Educate Together- filled the school hall when we came together to celebrate Forest School and the launch of the Scaip Project. The celebrations started with the most important voices of all – the children. The DSP choir again sang beautifully to the packed hall.
On behalf of the three school principals, Clodagh welcomed everyone to the evening of celebrations. She made the link between the changemaking which took place 50 years ago in the creation of DSP and the legacy of inclusion continued by Jenny and Miriam when they started Forest School in DSP 10 years ago. Áine Hyland, one of DSP’s brave and inspiring founders and a true pioneer in the vision for inclusive education highlighted how the curriculum, old and new, ,advocates for outdoor experiences.
Everyone was very impressed by the children representing the 3 schools who told us how they wished every child could have the same Forest School experience they have. We were all treated to some poetry and a lively rap as the children explained to the packed hall why they love Forest School. From DLETNS Hanna, Emilie & Lilka, from METNS Jack, Bea & Lucy and from DSP Jakob, Edith & Noah. Thank you all! Fantastic ambassadors!!
Student Voice continued when those in the hall were treated to a screening of the beautifully shot DSP Forest School mini – documentary. Pure joy!
A special thank you to Sarah Sheeran and Jamie Fitzpatrick and their colleagues in production who worked so passionately on this part of the project which allowed us to share in the children’s happiness as they experienced Forest School and basked in nature on Killiney Hill.
Next, a very proud moment for the DSP Community!! The official launch by Jenny Dungan of the fabulous Scaip Project. Started by staff, parents and Forest School Leaders from within the Dalkey School Project N.S. community, the Scaip Project aims to “scaip” or scatter the “Forest School seed” we’ve grown in our school far and wide to primary schools across the nation.
The goal of Scaip is for all children in Ireland to have the opportunity to lead their play and learning in nature as an integral part of their education and healthy development. The passion, dedication and hard work of the team was clearly evident as the Scaip website, brochure and book were introduced to the audience. Go Team Scaip!!
Jenny was joined on stage by Claire Cantrell (Forest School Teacher METNS) and Sarah Louise Connolly (Forest School Teacher DLETNS) who shared the joy of Forest School in their own schools.
Now let’s all help to spread the news and scatter the seeds! Please share the Scaip website link here with everyone you know!
Tom Bán who had spent the day building shelters with the children said he could tell DSP was special. He spoke about the children’s confidence in their interactions in nature and their happiness in exploration as a result of Forest School. Tom made connections between the Forest School being a space where children can be free, creative, connected to something larger than themselves and the mental health benefits to reduce anxiety and stress.
We warmly welcomed back our former principal, Miriam Hurley! Miriam, who with Jenny Dungan, introduced Forest School to DSP invited the panel of experts to tell us about the hugely positive effects Forest School can have on the life of every child who is fortunate enough to experience it. Jennie Casey (Nature based and Play Therapist), Catherine O’Connor (Occupational Therapist), Joan Whelan (Irish Forest School Association) and Tom Bán, (Bushcraft expert) all spoke passionately about how Forest School meets the physical and emotional needs of our children.
Our wonderful Student Voice brought us to the end of this amazing community and nature based celebration with an energetic and fun rendition of Raglin Bog! Everyone was breathless by the time the flea was on the feather!
We didn’t want the night to end! Lots stayed to make more nature based connections while enjoying some of the wonderful wild food prepared by the children and parents! Gorse flower cookies, school garden pesto canapes, Japanese matcha cookies, 3 cornered leek and wild garlic scones were all delicious!! Thank you to all the chefs and bakers!!
