Bringsty Common Fun and Games for Year 6

 In the run up to Christmas the weather improved markedly. The constant rain faded away, the temperature dropped a fair few degrees and for the first time it started to feel like Winter. There is an area of common land ten miles westward along the A44 called Bringsty and being free to roam it gives the pupils an opportunity to wander and explore independently.

The class will come across lots of different obstacles and very often, they will immediately begin to challenge themselves.

Staff noticed a tree still laden with apples and that provided the ammo for a go at making an apple catapult. A little stick of hazel, sharpen a point on one end and hey presto... easy as that.

It is amazing how far they can be launched with the benefit of a little mechanical advantage.

It is great fun. So much so, staff are eager to line up for a go themselves.

Rustic reindeer craft

 Just before we broke up for Christmas, the Year 3 and 4 classes in Forest School were set an Arts and Crafts task. They were given an assortment of pre-drilled Hazel sticks and shown how to assemble them to make a cute little rustic-looking reindeer.

It is a great opportunity to introduce the use of a few basic tools and many of the pupils jump at the chance.

It's an engaging task that some of the pupils find quite tricky but with a little encouragement and a few helpful pointers from staff, most of them persevered to come away with a charming memento for the festive season.

...And as always, someone has to cut some wood to keep the Forest School campfire burning.

Well done OD'O.

Extreme off-roading for Year 6

 The focus for this term across the school is looking at how to traverse different types of terrain when journeying off the beaten path. there is an amazing bank on the West side of the Worcestershire beacon which leads up to Black Hill quarry.

After parking the minibus, the group take a short walk up a footpath then veer right up what looks like an insurmountable thicket. They have fallen trees, loose gravel, brambles and uneven footing to contend with...all the while on a severe incline (they gain 120 metres in 15 arduous minutes).

The class are taught to plan ahead, look for clearings and concentrate on their immediate surroundings.

A rope is lashed to a tree up ahead at times, to demonstrate to the class the effectiveness of different approaches.

When the class reach the path after breaking out of the scrub they are greeted by Blackhill Quarry.

This huge man-made amphitheatre looms in front of the group, dwarfing all that stand before it.

The pupils are given a safety briefing and then are tasked to see how far they can scramble.

It is fascinating to see the varying levels of confidence and technique between the class and the whole session is a great introduction for all the class. We see collaboration, encouragement, tenacity and bravery on display from all the pupils involved.

Para Tab 10 Challenge

 This has been running for the Year 11 class at Riversides a number of years.

The pupils crazy enough to put themselves forward for the endeavour are subject to a demanding physical test. They carry 20kg of weight in a rucksack and are dropped off 10 miles from school at the start of the day. They then make their way across a pre-determined route (this year they walked from Malvern) back to school to be greeted by a hearty cheer by the rest of the school on their return.

This is a worthy challenge, set to highlight the importance of fortitude and mental toughness. It also instils camaraderie and a huge sense of achievement within the participants.

Team Building

 Year 10 and 11 met up for a challenge on the side of Lower Wyche.

Some of the banks on the old quarry workings are ideal for some activities involving the whole class, using ropes and encouragement to make their way 100 yards up some steep and uneven terrain.

The year 11 boys had set a pretty good time but year 10 were up for the challenge and showing collaboration and determination they stormed to the summit, carrying all the weight.

It was a great show of perseverance from the guys and highlighted a real desire to better themselves and overcome the time set by the older class.

First Sledging of the Season

 Year 6 had the best luck on Wednesday morning. We looked south towards Malvern and there was a dusting of snow (more likely frost!!) on the hill tops.

We had a bit of a re-shuffle and changed venue as the sun seemed to be doing a fine job of melting any of the remaining snow. We ended up parking at Upper Wyche and taking the quick hike up onto the banks of Perseverance Hill.

Hats off to Year 6. It was a brief, enjoyable blast for some of them...but maybe a little more snow was required for a more prolonged session.

Summer Sunrise

 A new display board was added to the Senior corridor in school last week.

It was to commemorate the annual celebration that the school make happen for the pupils.

As close as can be to the Summer Solstice, the school organize a trip to the Worcestershire Beacon.

It starts early (usually arriving at school for 2am!!!) and then they make their way to the west side of the Hills due to it being in the shadow of the oncoming day.

It is a fantastic chance to experience a magical time of year where the pupils can actually be there and engage in the circumstance, which can have a lasting impact on many of the pupils.

Above are a few excerpts and responses from the pupils.