Year 5

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By working together we can change the future of insects.

We have been learning why they are in decline, what they do for us and how we can help.

Kent Wildlife has launched the Action for Insects Campaign and this is enabling us to learn more about the most important creatures on the planet.

41% of the insect species face extinction.

Our job is to ensure that we have all the habitats required to attract them and help increase numbers.

Year 5 are also choosing which ones to study for a re-cycling art project as well as photographing every one they see for our insect book and logging numbers.

Year 2

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With the worm full moon and the spring equinox on Sunday, we are noticing beautiful seasonal signs and appreciating the warming sun on our faces as well as the longer days.

Today we used the Kelly kettle to boil water that was poured on lemon balm to make an infusion.

Suffian said, “It tastes like the tea I drink when I visit my grandma in Morocco.”

Lemon balm, a member of the mint family, is a calming herb.

The children also made swings, dens and learned how to use a bow saw, hand and palm drill and secateurs safely.

Homes for All!

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As part of the school’s 100 Things to Do monthly challenge, the children made homes for animals.

So many children took part and have made incredible homes for insects and invertebrates, hedgehogs, bats and birds and we were blown away by their wonderful creations.

We will now consider where best to place them as we continue to make our school wildlife friendly with wildflowers, fruits and vegetables, orchard trees, wild areas, wood piles and water gardens.

As the earth warms and spring arrives we are feeling excited to see what creatures enjoy our school habitats that will provide food, shelter and a safe space to breed.

Amazing work, children and parents!

Year 2, Mary Secole

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This term the children are learning about Mary Secole. The children told me:

“She was born in 1805 and had a Scottish father and a Jamaican mother. She was so brave, even though she was bullied a lot and many people were not kind”.

“She was a nurse and helped everyone, it didn’t matter what side they fought on”.

“She healed using plants”.

Today the children learned about the healing qualities of lemon, aloe vera, ginger and lavender, plants that she would have used to heal.

Lemon was used to help coughs. Mary would mix it.

Ginger was used to help diarrhoea. Mary would grind it.

Aloe Vera was used to help cuts and wounds. Mary would mix it.

Lavender was used to help sooth headaches, calm stress and help people sleep better.

The children shared how they use herbs at home:

Eleanor: My mummy drinks lemon tea. We have an aloe vera plant at home. It can be used for healing. Rub it in your skin to heal quicker.

Florence: Lemons are very sour but I like the taste.

Sebastian: I have a bubble bath that smells of ginger.

Fae, Zienna and Henry said that aloe is great for cuts and smells like avocado and kiwis.

Eleanor, inspired started writing notes and tips to share with others.

We will start collating these in our Earthclass book.

Mr Scott’s re-cycled propagator

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Rather than throw the old ceiling lights away, Mr Scott our site manager, came up with an ingenious way to re-use them as propagators.

We have filled them with potting soil and sown seeds.

As the wet soil heats up water evaporates and then condenses, keeping the soil moist and warm as the heat is kept in with the tight fittings.

Our peas have already germinated!