Flying our kites.

We finally got a clear blustery day to try out Year 3's kites in the playground . As you can see all the hard work paid off!

 

Kites with Year 3

Red Kite and Osprey classes have been constructing their own kites using just plastic bags, sticks, tape and wool. We were hoping to take advantage of some autumn wind but have only had rain so far! Fingers crossed for some blowy weather next week so we can see if they fly. Here are some instructions to make your own.

 

Exciting mushrooms!

Barn Owls class found these unusual mushrooms in the school woods. Any guesses what they might be called?

 

Hedgelaying

Oxford Conservation Volunteers came to Windale last Sunday to give our overgrown hedge some much needed attention. Around fifteen willing helpers (including Mr James!) used hand tools to lay the hedge to make it smaller, denser and neater for years to come. This ancient skill makes hedges a very valuable habitat for wildlife like birds, insects and hedgehogs. Thank you OCV!

Before; overgrown and bare in places.

Adding stakes to hold it in place.

 Although the process involved cutting back many of the trees, they will grow back in one or two years.

The finished result.

Dyeing with nature.

Year 4 were collecting lots of different plants and berries on trees and bushes.

We have been smashing all of it together and making loads of patterns to make pictures .

(Written by Tawny Owls group 2)

Collecting colourful leaves, berries and flowers.

Hammering them to release the natural dyes. Mind those fingers!

The result; vibrant butterflies!

 

Blackberry picking.

Having used most of the available fruit in the school (see Homegrown crumble), Year 5 groups 3 and 4 went blackberry picking in Spindleberry park for their crumbles.

 

Pyramus and Thisbe.

The Year 6 groups have been creating storyboards and acting out scenes from the story of Pyramus and Thisbe. This fits in with their work on A Midsummer Night's Dream as it is the play Bottom and the workers act out for the prince. We used scenes and props in the school grounds to bring the story to life.

Pyramus and Thisbe speak through a crack in the wall.

Thisbe flees from the lion, dropping her veil.

 

New flowers for the school entrance.

The path at the entrance to the school has been looking a bit bare since the gardeners took out all the weeds, so we've ordered 120 tiny plants to put in. These include pansies, primulas and forget-me-nots which will hopefully give us some colourful winter flowers...if we take care of them!

A group of Year 5s managed to re-pot all 120 tiny 'plug' plants to give the roots room to grow bigger, before transferring them to the flower bed. Go team!
We've also prepared the soil by weeding thoroughly and adding some of our super Windale-made compost (enriched with chicken poo)!