Gardening: Making a Difference for Students
Well, what a wet and chilly start to the year! But it didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits or desire to keep working hard and enjoying the outdoors.
Groups took part in one of the most important citizen science opportunities of the year: the RSPB big school bird count. Winston has a few bird enthusiasts in its community and we hope we have inspired a few more to get pleasure from and care about our birds. Between us we have now seen over 46 different species of birds on our school grounds in the past few years which we think makes us really quite special and incredibly lucky. Students have really got into the habit now of feeding our birds each week to support them as we now head into nesting season.
We fed, we watched and we also played some fun games. Students really surprised themselves at how many bird names they knew and how good they were at identifying their calls and songs!
The daffodils that were planted in the autumn have made the most incredible display by the sports entrance and students were so proud. We hope you've managed to catch a glimpse as you were passing. Photos don’t really do it justice; it’s breath-taking.
Our Wednesday after school Allotment Club recommenced after February half term and luckily the weather has been beautiful. I'm so grateful to the club for building this living willow dome - which will make a lovely shady den for students next year. We just have a little more weeding and tying to do. They also painted this raised bed that students also built with scrap wood and hand tools only - so impressive!
Perhaps the highlight of the term has been finding this Smooth newt in our pond (we think there are at least three)! There is still work to be done to make the pond the best habitat it can be so that is our focus for the summer term before the newts breed later in the spring. Seeing the students joy, wonder and care for these creatures has been especially moving. No student has failed to think they are undeniably cool.
Seeds are being sown now as the growing season really takes off. We look forward to keeping you updated.
Miss Bates
Gardening Tutor
