June Newsletter

Welcome to Birchwood Learning’s E-Newsletter – it never rains but it pours! Another batch of news to share with you, and so soon! Hope you had a super half term and jubilant jubilee celebration!

Website update – Seasonal Stories
Summer-time facts, folklore and stories are now uploaded to our website. Take a look here.

Belladonna Bushcraft joins Birchwood Learning for a Summer of fun (and pink!)

This summer we will be running various woodland workshops and family and children’s events across Norfolk. Workshops for adults and older young people (minimum age 14 years) include ‘Bread & Butter’ and ‘Tea & Cake’ find out more here.

We will be also offering a weekly woodland play day ‘Pick & Mix’ every Wednesday throughout the summer holidays for children aged 8 – 13 years at Holt Hall. Find out more here.

‘Monkey-Do’ is coming to Norfolk to teach us how to swing! Swings & Slings – 1 day workshop using ropes to facilitate play in nature
Tuesday 24th July 2012 at Holt Hall Environmental & Outdoor Learning Centre.
Join London based outdoor wild play company ‘Monkey-Do’ for this hands on workshop covering everything you need to know about siting, installing and using rope swings and other temporary rope play installations safely, effectively and sustainably.

Ofsted says – Forest School makes an outstanding contribution to spiritual, moral, social & cultural development!
Congratulations go out to Norfolk Schools (and their Forest School Leaders!) who have recently received good Ofsted reports:
Erpingham Primary – inspected May 2012
“Its excellence in ‘Forest Schools’ work makes an outstanding contribution to pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development… Pupils have very positive attitudes to learning and are excited about their lessons, especially those that take place outside in the school’s extensive grounds. They recall with relish making nettle soup, toasting marshmallows by a log fire and building dens. As one pupil said, ‘We learn something new almost every day!'”

Lionwood Junior School – inspected April 2012
“Teaching has a positive impact upon pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development as pupils work together well on tasks, and consider moral dilemmas. ‘Forest Schools’ work gives pupils the opportunity to learn in nearby Lion Wood, an awe-inspiring ancient woodland. When asked who owned the wood, a pupil replied, ‘The animals and the trees own the wood.'”

Forthcoming Forest School Training in Norfolk
All 3 levels of Forest School Training are available in Norfolk and open for booking:

• OCN Level 1 – 5th & 6th July 2012 at UEA, Norwich
• OCN Level 3 – starting on 25th October 2012 at Catton Park, Norwich
• OCN Level 1 – 26th & 27th November 2012 at Holt Hall
• OCN Level 2 module – 4th & 5th December 2012 at Catton Park, Norwich

Please view course details here.

‘The Association of Forest School Practitioners’ – UK Launch
The clock is counting down till the launch of the new organisation for Forest School in the UK. All of the Forest School community are encouraged to join us and be part of the establishment of this significant event. The launch will be on Saturday 7th July 2012 at Elveston Country Park near Derby (10mins taxi from train station). A flyer about the day, with booking information can be downloaded here.

Fancy taking your EYs/KS1 group to Houghton Estate free of charge for Outdoor Learning Visits?
For several years Lord Cholomondeley has generously encouraged local schools and EY settings to visit his Houghton Estate, near Fakenham, for self-guided outdoor learning. We have a free 2 hour group leader induction coming up for teachers and practitioners to learn more about the Estate and how to make visits throughout the year:

• Friday 15th June, 3-5pm at Houghton Estate
  You can find out more about the Houghton learning programmes on NCC website here. Please contact Louise for more information and to make your booking.

Glad about the Glaven
Saturday 21st July 2012 at Holt Hall Environmental and Outdoor Learning Centre.
Come and celebrate the local area and environment at this free family event!

International Mud Day
June 29th is International Mud Day! Why not celebrate this by getting down and dirty, digging, making pies, splating, squelching, mixing and filling wellies!

Books we Like – ‘If You Find A Rock’
By Peggy Christian, Barbara Hirsch Lember
This book is kind of like instructions for all avid rock and stone collectors when out on a wander! It is simply poetic and the photos have a calming quality, as have been made to look like paintings. A good one to read to children at Forest School or before setting off on a walk perhaps?

Don’t forget to check www.birchwoodlearning.com for forthcoming Forest School and nature based outdoor learning training.