Activity Day 3 - delicious!

Today we transformed the polytunnel classroom into a kitchen space!  We swept it and moved out the dirty tables then  put up clean food tables.

 

Everyone weighed out their own ingredients to make pizza dough.  

We added flour, salt, yeast, and egg, some milk and water

We mixed it and kneaded it - some were stickier than others!

We covered the bowls and left them in the closed-up polytunnel to rise.  The sun came out perfectly on cue, to make a sauna-like environment in there!

After break, we set up wash stations, the pizza oven kit and a crafting table.

 We got out our giant connect 4 and jenga games.  

Everyone enjoyed some relaxation time.

Kody finished varnishing his workshop sign…

…and the girls continued painting.

We then chopped up toppings and grated cheese.  It was so warm, Kody poured drinks for us.

We each formed four ball of dough - it had risen really well!

Next it was time to roll out our dough (😮 apologies to those pizza experts who only stretch and spin the dough - rolling pins worked just fine for us!)

  The pizza oven was lit and a queue quickly formed - each pizza cooking in two to three minutes.

Everyone had two or three pizzas then it was time to wash up, tidy away and get off home!

Again, everyone was wonderful - friendly, helpful and relaxed.  Thanks to all of you for a lovely three days!

Activity Day 2 - full on creativity!

Today was our crafting day. 

Mrs Winterbottom had wonderful samples of things she’d made to inspire us!

We started with jam jars and decorated them with dried flowers.

 

  These will make lovely nightlight holders.

Some folks made bookmarks and pictures then we tried painting wooden signs and stones.

We continued after lunch and used a wood-burning tool to decorate some of the signs and started varnishing them.

The polytunnel classroom was very colourful and we had a great time chatting as we worked.  A huge thanks to Mrs Winterbottom for her hard work and thanks to Mr Kirk for helping.  Also, thanks to Mrs Jack who did a power of work weeding our borders today!!

 Roll on tomorrow - it’s pizza day next! 🍕😋

Day 1 of Activities - a hard work day!

Despite the pouring rain, today has been very productive.  We started by weeding the polytunnel and planting tomato seedlings.

We then potted up a LOAD of seedlings and started sowing seeds.

A visitor then turned up - John with a trailer full of compost from Keenans!

Luckily it had just stopped raining, so just before lunch we got busy shovelling…

3 tonnes - off the trailer!

This will be fantastic for mulching our beds and borders.  It will prevent weeds and improve the structure of the soil.  A huge thank you to Keenans for donating to us.

During lunch, John was keen to see our RIDAN hot composter and enjoyed turning it!

After lunch, we pulled some rhubarb to take home and delivered some to Mrs Jack.

We finished the day by planting foxgloves and cowslips into our wildlife garden area.  All the pupils were fabulous - hardworking, respectful and keen so well done and thank you to them!

Sowing Seeds of Summer and Creating Floral Bouquets

 

Today we were joined by some members of Interact (who work with Rotary: "Interact clubs bring together young people ages 12-18 to develop leadership skills while discovering the power of Service Above Self") 

We sowed lots of different types of sunflowers not only to brighten the summer garden, but in solidarity with Ukraine as it is their national flower.

Some were "Giant", others included "Magic Roundabout", "Moonshine" and "Velvet Queen".  We hope to pot them up in June and plant them out into the beds before the end of term.

On Wednesday, we were delighted to be asked at short notice to provide mini bouquets for the refreshments area of the Prizegiving ceremonies.  We foraged in  the productive garden, wildlife area and memorial garden to gather many colours and textures.

We put together six vases...

and put them on tables to provide some cheer.

In other news, the seniors have been building an unfinished path (just six years after it was started!) - watch this space for pics soon!  They have been grass cutting and sowing seeds.

Juniors have been helping with potting up seedlings & cuttings and planting potatoes and onions.  They have also been delivering rhubarb to staff.  Thanks to all those those who supported us by buying a bunch or  even two!