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Stone Farm day 3 (Eden Project)

Wed 26 Feb 2020

Good evening all,

'This is the best group of children I have ever taken to explore the Eden Project; thank you!'.

I thought I would start with a quote from one of our 'Eden Educators' today about your child. They were absolutely fantastic at the Eden Project in terms of their behaviour, manners, thoughtfulness towards members of the general public as well as their enthusiasm and interest in the rainforest!

We had a brilliant day exploring the biomes: trekking across rope bridges, standing under waterfalls (which turned out to provide natural air-conditioning in the tropical biome) as well learning all about the different uses of plants from across the World. The children did us, and you, really proud today and were a pleasure to take around the Eden Project.

After some downtime on the coach ride home, the children were energised again and ready to do their farm duties (in the bright sunshine today...horaay!) and so we fed the animals, walked the animals and even brushed some of them before settling down for dinner!

This evening, the children are at a falconry display where they get the opportunity to see a range of birds of prey flying inches above their heads in one of the farm barns. Another once in a lifetime experience that I have no doubt they will thoroughly enjoy!

Tomorrow we are off to the beach (in the sunshine again according to the weather forecast) before finishing the afternoon at the swimming pool; making the most of the wave machine and waterslide!

As we draw towards the end of our week in Stone Farm, it has been great seeing the children grow in confidence to try new things and independence around the farm. I must also give a special mention to the five other members of staff here who, despite being exhausted after the early starts and late nights, are always smiling and have worked tirelessly to ensure the children have an amazing week.

One more full day of pictures to follow tomorrow of our adventures at the beach but until then enjoy a quiet evening!

Mr Rist.

Stone Farm day 2: Morwellham Quay

Tue 25 Feb 2020

Good evening all,

An early blog this evening as the children are tucking into another delicious, hot meal after a busy day at Morwellham Quay (spelling corrected from yesterday's blog). The children have had an excellent day immersing themselves in the Victorian way of life at a mining town. Activities today have included copper farming, dressing up as Victorians, a school lesson (handwriting) in a Victorian school, a ride on a mine train and finally (Mrs Cozzi's favourite) chocolate making! Please note that we did ask the children to save this as a gift for you on their return but I wouldn't hold out much hope for this as I think most of them have already eaten it!

The weather has been mixed today (bright sunshine and rain in equal measures) however the children have cracked on regardless and thoroughly enjoyed their day. Our evening activity tonight is an art competition based on drawing Hedwig the Owl. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the children, as Hedwig is on his perch about 4ft away from them, whilst they draw him. It also an activity they have to do in silence, which appeals to me!

Tomorrow, we will be up and about nice and promptly ready for our farm duties before getting ready to head to the Eden Project. Here we will discover the different uses of plants across the globe as well as exploring the two biomes and their waterfalls!

Enjoy your evening!

Mr Rist

Final photos of Stone Farm Day 1

Mon 24 Feb 2020

Final pictures!

More photos from Day 1

Mon 24 Feb 2020

Stone Farm more pictures!

More photos from day 1 at Stone Farm

Mon 24 Feb 2020

More photos from day 1!

Stone Farm Day 1

Mon 24 Feb 2020

Good evening all,

I am writing this towards the end of a busy yet super first day at Stone Farm. After a wet drive to Buckfast Abbey, we stepped off the coach and minibus to be greeted with dry skies and even a small amount of sun (small being the operative word!). After eating lunch, the children got a tour of the abbey before having the opportunity to discover how it was built. They built archways (and then tested them by walking over them), lifted a 41kg weight using pulleys, built spiral staircases and even looked into the live workings of a beehive!

After arriving safely at the farm, the children got the 'grand tour' being introduced to all the animals (including the new piglets) and also a whistle-stop tour of the farm jobs they will be doing in the morning. We then had some time with the animals: collecting eggs from the chickens, walking the rabbits and meeting the new ducklings.

After a lovely dinner (with seconds) the children were well fed and ready for our evening activities. With their beds made and slippers out ready for their return, we ventured out to do the Stone Farm maze and play some games in the games room.

A fantastic first day, the children are now settling for a story before bed. A good nights' sleep will set us up well for our adventures to Mewlleham Quay tomorrow.

More to follow tomorrow evening!

Mr Rist

Avon Tyrrell Disco

Thu 18 Jul 2019

Avon Tyrrell - Day 4 Photos!

Thu 18 Jul 2019

Avon Tyrrell - Day 4

Thu 18 Jul 2019

The last final day of activities has happened and what a great day it has been. Over the week, the children have now completed the following activities: abseiling, canoeing, raft-building, climbing, sports, fun games, camp fire, shelter building, orienteering, zip-wire and archery!

As we type this up, the music is booming and the happy sound of children singing to songs and cheering away is vibrating through the room. 'Sweet Caroline' started to play and we decided to join in the fun. It was no surprise to see certain cricket fans at the front leading the song! (So good, so good, so good!).

Lewis has celebrated his birthday today and one that I am sure he will remember for a very long time. 64 children singing 'Happy Birthday' at the top of their voices was a joy and no doubt heard across the New Forest! Birthday cake soon followed and enjoyed by all! Thank you for the sweets Lewis' mum - they were a real hit!

A BBQ for dinner tonight and the children certainly enjoyed this. This was finished off nicely with delicious New Forest ice-cream. Please see the photos below!

The Anton Hairdressing salon opened tonight - pre disco! It was quite exhausting, as four hairdressers had an endless row of children to get through. The problem we had was that we hired a clueless apprentice, who was really rather slow (apparently he had never even dried hair before!!).

So, almost the end of a busy week and what a week it has been. These children are a wonderful, fun, polite bunch, who have made us laugh out loud lots. Avon Tyrrell is always a fitting way to celebrate and say goodbye to our Year 6 children. They have shown many qualities this week: independence, resilience, confidence, determination, achievement and learnt to tackle their fears. Now they are ready to start their next journey in life and we are sure that every child will continue to flourish. As we like to say at Anton, every child has many a talent whether it is sporting, musical, creative or academic. We wish them all the best at secondary school. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your support and encouragement this year.

We better go - the disco is going to end very soon and we don't want to miss out on the last of couple of dances!

See you all tomorrow and we will send a text to finalise the time we will be back at school.

Thanks

Bree House and Dave May

#stillnorain