St Mary's C of E Primary School, Banbury

It’s been another wonderful week at Forest School, with each group following their own interests and developing new skills. 🌿

After weeks of building the knowledge, skills and responsibility needed to use fire safely (and waiting for the weather to cooperate!), one group finally got to light their own fire using flint and steel. Toasting marshmallows was a definite highlight, but so too was taking time to simply watch, listen to and enjoy the fire together. 🔥🍡

Elsewhere, children used hammers and fresh willow to create natural paintbrushes before making their own paint from mud, charcoal and water. The woodland became an art studio as they experimented with patterns, textures and pictures. 🎨🌱

The recent rain also brought an abundance of wildlife. Armed with bug pots and identification guides, another group set off on a huge bug hunt, discovering and identifying all sorts of fascinating minibeasts. 🐞🪱

A brilliant week of creativity, curiosity and new experiences in the sunshine!

This week's guide from The National College to support you and your family.

Kingfishers had a lovely trip to The Mill on Friday to watch The Cat in the Hat. The children really enjoyed the performance and there were lots of giggles and smiles from ear to ear throughout the morning. It was a wonderful way to end the week!

Triangles, circles, and squares, oh my! Last week, our Fledglings became shape investigators, exploring different shapes and their properties both inside and outside the classroom. Learning was everywhere we looked!

Another week of OPAL joy. Our children make the most of every play and lunchtime to be creative, collaborative and risk takers. They also like to chill with a good book in the Cosy Corner! Have a wonderful week of play.

This week’s Forest School sessions were full of teamwork, problem solving and LOTS of hiding places! 🌿😄

Children took on the “Biscuit Challenge”, working together to come up with clever ways to keep our Forest School biscuits safe from the woodland animals over the holidays. There were some fantastic ideas and brilliant teamwork throughout.

We also had a huge game of hide and seek using the camouflage cape, with children disappearing surprisingly well into the woodland! 🍃👀

And after all that hard work, there was only one way to finish the session… with real biscuits, of course! 🍪

A brilliant week of sessions full of laughter, creativity and outdoor adventure.

Year 4 and Year 5 have both filled their marble jars — Woohoo! ✨✨
Their hard work and determination have paid off!
What a wonderful way to go into the summer half-term holidays.
As a reward, both classes may come to school in non-uniform tomorrow (Friday, 22nd May) ✨💙