This week was the last week before the 6th class students become assistants for the younger children. They have demonstrated leadership skills in the last few weeks, learning games to teach the younger children, noticing things in nature to show them, figuring out how to put hammocks, and how to put up shelters and put them away again. And they also know how to play and they can support the younger children in their play. They have so much experience of Forest School (more than most adults!) and we’re looking forward to having them help.

We noticed lots on the way to base camp.

Shelter making was explored. 6th class showed great creativity, problem solving and teamwork when setting up the tarps.

And also when putting them away. They were amazed by how something that can fit the whole group inside can fit in such a small bag!

We also made bees with larch cones.

Sit Spot

During our sit spot we took time to appreciate the nature around us:

‘I noticed the branches and the trees above me and it was really nice.’

‘I loved looking at the forest and all the trees and basically everything together, all the flowers and the plants and birds.’

‘I noticed the sound of a specific bird making a really nice song’

‘There was really pretty miniature white trees and it was like a mini forest’

‘I noticed that the sky is completely white and it looks like a painting and the background is a white canvas.’

‘I noticed how there was a lot of water on every plant and it was really shiny.’

Gratitude

6th class shared some of what they were grateful for:

I’m really grateful for getting a chance to do Forest School – getting to do so much and I’m sad I’m leaving.

I’m grateful our school does Forest School because I know a lot of other schools don’t get a chance to go outside and be in nature and I’m so grateful we had the chance to do it. I loved coming up and going on the swing.

I’m really grateful that I get to come up here with my friends and see the sea and do all the fun forest stuff.

I’m grateful for the people who organised it and came together so that we could have the chance to do it.

I’m grateful for being able to use the tarps and hammocks and for having that available to us.

I’m grateful for my whole time in the forest. Since Senior Infants it’s been amazing. I’m glad I got to make everything and climb all the trees. It was just amazing. Like everything. People being so kind to us and it was FUN!

I like all the games we played and climbing and finding nice places to sit and putting up hammocks. It was really fun.