Two contrasting moments...

 Year 7 ventured down to the Fishpond stream at Turn Mill to splash about and cool off on a particularly sweltering Thursday afternoon.

One of the class found a novel way to keep in the shade by utilising a Gunnera leaf as a hat.

 

When the class eventually made their way down to the stream, two ladies were sat on the bank.

They spoke about their reason for being there and that they had created a small memorial in the roots of a tree overhanging the stream.

They asked the boys to be mindful of this area and after a few searching questions about its meaning, the class continued on whilst being very respectful of its presence.

It is still there, untouched, weeks later.

So long...farewell

 The Year 11 cohort are slowly winding down

as their time at Riversides draws to a close

Fridays are still a big day out for them until the exams loom large.

Volunteering, then a trip to shop for supplies.

We have ventured across some of the lesser known slopes of the Malverns lately, but the lads always love to scramble and climb over anything possible.

It's always a challenge to go furthest or climb highest.

Forest School @ Riversides

 

Our Forest School sessions are unearthing a great many positive traits among the pupils of Primary 1

 

We often enlist the help of some of the older pupils in school and this mentoring approach has proved extremely beneficial to all who are involved.

The older pupils learn group management, how to impart instructions in a clear and reasoned manner and also how to resolve issues and conflicts that may arise for their younger peers.

Meanwhile, the Primary class, who invariably hold their older peers in a higher regard, respond in a more subtle and personable way than they may with staff.

These interactions are a valuable tool to expand upon and help create a broad camaraderie that expands beyond the year groups within the school setting.

Flora and Fauna

 

One of the amazing things (amongst many) with our pupils is their fascination with Nature in all its guises.

They may find it cute and fluffy or smelly and repulsive but the reactions that are provoked when they encounter something unexpected always lead to a host of interesting conversations, usually  interspersed by a flurry of questions.

As you can see by the accompanying pictures, the tactile nature of some of their encounters leave an indelible impression.

This little green caterpillar hitched a ride after one of the pupils had brushed through some low branches on an oak tree.

When spotted by one of his classmates, they were both excited to see who could

let it crawl along their hand the longest.

This was spotted on the branches of an oak and the pupils were amazed to be told that they are formed by the tree around the egg of a small wasp, allowing the larvae to develop in a safe and sheltered environment.

After seeing the first, they proceeded to scan the surrounding foliage and were amazed by how many more they could see.

*As expected, thorough guidance is given on anything that is poisonous or may be an irritant and hygiene afterwards is always stressed.

Summer Blooms

 

The Water jump challenge

 As the weather has improved and the sun "gets it's hat on", a number of classes have enjoyed venturing down to the Turn Mill circular walk at Ombersley.

When there, they have been shown a ledge by a fallen tree that crosses a small stream.

After being shown how to clear the gap by their Tutor, they were then challenged to pluck up the courage and attempt the jump themselves.

This is a profound psychological hurdle for many of the pupils to overcome.

They are explained the elements of Risk and Reward and reassured that each of them has the physical capability to complete the jump, but the only thing that is holding them back is their own innate sense of 'self-preservation'.

It is in all their interests to weigh up challenges such as this, for them to be able to calculate their own abilities when faced with such hurdles.

Their is no pressure from from staff and if peer pressure starts to rise within the groups it is a really good learning opportunity for all pupils on how to deal with this in a calm and dignified manner, learning to accept their own level of challenge and physicality. 

(Above are Year 7 and Primary 3 pupils taking the challenge head on).

Spring Term has flown by...

 A few of the classes have been venturing up to a circular walk along the Abberley Hills.

This takes them up a brutally steep climb (so abrupt, that it needs a staircase to start) and then winds itself round an old abandoned quarry called Shavers End to eventually join with the Geopark Way. 

The class are fascinated to witness the Spring flowers pushing through in bloom and also how a little sunshine and a few degrees of warmth makes all their adventures outside so much easier.

NB. There still are a hardy few that miss all the mud and the sliding around ... you can't please everyone!!

Here we have a shot of Primary 2 taking a well earned rest after climbing up over 250 feet of severely challenging footpath...

And this is one of the class taking a cue from Gareth (a wonderful

musician who visits the school for musical sessions with the pupils) 

and using a fallen tree trunk for a spot of drumming.