It’s not every day that the children enter the school grounds in the morning to find that the front of school has been transformed into a farm but that’s exactly what happened today when we were visited by Gemma’s Farm!

The Forest Friends area at the front of the school was home for the day for a Shetland pony, goats, sheep, ferrets, rabbits, mice, ducks, chickens, a cat and even a Collie dog.

Everyone had a chance to see the animals up closely before and after school but the main visitors were the children from Hedgehogs, Dormice and Robins. Each class spent time brushing, holding and walking the various animals as Gemma told them all about how she looks after them, their natural habitats, what they are used for on a farm and how they like to spend their time. It was a fantastic experience and one which the children will remember for a long time to come!

Meanwhile, the children in Foxes ventured out of school to visit the Southend Planetarium. Whilst there the children developed their understanding of the solar system, planets and stars. They even heard all about the constellation and learnt all about satellites.

Back in school the children in Hawks enjoyed an extra swimming session as a reward for their top attendance last term whilst the children in Aspen took part in a Bikeability session on the playground. Year One used their Forest Friends session to begin work on the RSPB Big Bird Watch by researching all about various types of birds found both in our local area and elsewhere.

At the end of the afternoon the downstairs hall was full of parents and family members celebrating attendance of 95% and above with the children in Year One. Our latest ‘Attendance Assembly’ saw the children displayed on a powerpoint slide show before being presented with certificates by Mr B.