YEAR 6 OTHONA VISIT - 2011
This year we e-mailed regular updates to parents using the ParentMail system. This was the last visit to Othona - at least for the a while - as Year 6 will be using an alternative venue next year, in North Norfolk. We will revert to using this website to update parents.
Woodland Trust
7th July, 2009:
Today, a group of eleven children, along with Mrs Paternoster and Mr Middleditch - plus a guide from the Woodland Trust - took the school's first walk along the private footpath to the ancient wood. The children had been selected after entering a competition to design an outside classroom, to be constructed at the site by the Woodland Trust with sponsorship from TK MAXX. On arrival we were met by representatives of the Woodland Trust, TK MAXX and the press. A series of photographs and interviews were completed, whilst the children enjoyed an interactive lesson on woodland habitats. To conclude, we entered the actual wood, which apparently offers once of the most diverse habitats of any woodland in the United Kingdom.
Full links to the project, including photographs, will be posted on this site after the Summer Holiday.
Click on the following link to discover how TK MAXX and the Woodland Trust are joining together to help promote the care of our local environment: www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/news-media/releases/company/Pages/tkmaxx-elmstead-market.aspx
TREE PLANTING EVENT - 13th February, 2009
In February, the school has been offered the opportunity to send up to forty children to a tree planting event - see letter to parents below. We are holding a letter writing/drawing competition to see which children are selected to attend. Please note that group photograph permission is essential for any child attending this event.
5th November, 2008
Dear Parent/Guardian
Up to forty pupils from Elmstead Primary School have been invited to plant trees with the Woodland Trust and help create a new local wood. The event is part of the Trust's five year campaign called Tree for All and is designed to involve as many children as possible across the UK.
The event is free. Your child will be given the opportunity to discover what it feels like to plant a young tree, enjoy a variety of learning activities led by an educational professional experienced in outdoor learning and have fun during this structured one and half hour session.
The Woodland Trust aim is to increase young people's understanding and appreciation of trees and woodland, ensuring their enjoyment and protection for future generations. Over the next few years your child will see the field turn into a young wood and feel pride in the contribution they made. Tree planting is a winter activity, carried out when the young trees are dormant. For your child to fully enjoy their experience, please ensure they come to school that day warmly dressed, with waterproof clothing and suitable footwear - wellies would be perfect if you have them.
The Woodland Trust has organised many successful planting events with schools over the years and seen thousands of children become inspired from taking part. Your child is warmly invited to attend this special outdoor event. Please sign the attached permission slip, which includes permission for a group photograph to be taken.
Yours faithfully,
(on behalf of the Woodland Trust)
C. A. Middleditch
Head Teacher
Find out more about the "Tree for All" campaign by visiting www.treeforall.org.uk
Click HERE to see picture and article - from East Anglian Daily Times (09/07/09) - about the school's first visit to the new outdoor classroom and ancient woodland in the village.
Click HERE for group photograph of lucky winners of the Design an Outdoor Classroom Competition.
YEARS 1 & 2 ZOO TRIP - 2009
by Charlie
On Tuesday Class 2 went on a school trip to Colchester Zoo. When we got there we split into groups. Then we went through a different way into the zoo. Then we went to see the sloth and it crawled right over our heads. Next, a turtle walked right across the path! Then we went to see Sasha in her enclosure. Some zookeepers came in to feed Sasha meat, but while they weren't looking he ran out the door and then he started running around the zoo and then he ate ten zookeepers - on the path in front of everyone. Everyone else started running and screaming everywhere.
So then we went to see the anaconda and when we got there it stretched out to make itself bigger and bigger. Then it showed its fangs to look scarier and more fierce.
Finally, at four-o-clock the coach arrived and we travelled safely back to school.
