December Newsletter

Welcome to Birchwood Learning’s E-Newsletter. Hope you are keeping warm round the campfire with a minced pie and hot chocolate (or perhaps something stronger!?) this winter! We would like to wish all our subscribers a fun filled festive season and happy new year!

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

Thank you to all the Spoon Carving Crew!
Thank you to all of those who came out on a blustery Saturday to whittle away a day in the woods, carving spoons! We had a great day and hopefully will plan some further dates soon!

Find us on Facebook!
We have set up a new Facebook page – please ‘like’ us by following the link to keep up to date with all Birchwood Learning events and news.

Website Update – Forest School Training
Looking for Forest School training? We have just updated our website listings for 2013 courses. Please view course details here.

Assessing for Danger! First Aid for Forest School training
Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th March 2013 at Catton Park, Norwich
Andy Forsyth is back over to Norfolk to provide his specialist First Aid course for Forest School Leaders! This is the course for you if you have just started Forest School and need a First Aid qualification or if it’s time for renewal (First Aid is normally updated every 3 years). Details and booking forms are available here.

Open for Booking! The First Ever Norfolk Forest School Conference! – Tuesday 7th May 2013 at Holt Hall
NCC Environmental and Outdoor Learning team are facilitating the first ever Norfolk Forest School conference! The day aims to celebrate local practice, provide opportunities to network and share practice, gain new insight, skills and understanding, raise the profile of Forest School and its benefits to all! The day will be a mix of a keynote presentations, seminars and practical workshops. Designed for all – managers and practitioners, qualified Forest School Leaders and those wanting to find out more. Find out more and view attached flyer here.

Win 5 years membership to the Forest School Association!
The new Forest School Association are looking for help from the FS community to create a logo, and have decided to launch a competition! Can you help create a design that says ‘Forest School’? The competition is open to all, you do not have to be a current member to take part. Find out more about the competition here.

Ash Trees need our help!
As I’m sure you have seen on national media – Ash trees in the UK are at risk of serious disease caused by a fungus (Chalara fraxinea). The disease causes leaf loss and crown dieback in affected trees, and it can lead to tree death. It is widespread across Europe and in Denmark has killed 60-90% of Ash trees, so a serious threat to UK populations. C. fraxinea is being treated as a quarantine pest under national emergency measures, and it is important that suspected cases of the disease are reported. Please look at the Forestry Commissions website for up to date information.
What we can do to help:

• Monitor any Ash trees in woodlands you visit regularly. There is a guide to Chalara symptoms from the Forestry Commission here.
• Report any suspected cases to the landowner and plant.health@forestry.gsi.gov.uk or planthealth.info@fera.gsi.gov.uk.
• Don’t remove and/or transport any leaf litter or plant material from or to woodland.
• Follow any biosecurity measures put in place by landowners/managers.

HSE Mythbusting Health and Safety lies in regards to play provision!
The Health and Safety Executive have just released a guidance document to dispel Health and Safety Myths regarding children’s play and leisure. Read more here.

Fancy taking your EYs/KS1 group to Houghton Estate free of charge for Outdoor Learning Visits?
For several years Lord Cholmondeley 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:

• Monday 28^th January 2013, 1.30pm – 3.30pm at Houghton Estate.
• Friday 22^nd February 2013, 10.00am – 12.00noon at Houghton Estate.

You can find out more about the Houghton learning programmes on the NCC website here. Please contact Louise for more information and to make your booking.

People we Like – Muddy Faces
Muddy Faces is the leading supplier of Forest School equipment and outdoor play resources. Their fantastic staff are happy to talk through products and help you find what you need to support quality learning experiences. They also host a ‘Swap Shop’ on the website and Facebook for practitioners to share practical ideas. Come and meet them at the Norfolk Forest School Conference!

Festive Season Opening
Please note that our Birchwood Learning office will be shut for the winter festivities from Friday 21^st December till Monday 7^th January 2013.

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