This year’s ‘Big Adventure took place during the week beginning Monday 15th September. Each year group made their way from VPA to Edgmond Hall in Newport, Shropshire. Activities were expertly planned and delivered by staff at the centre incorporating all aspects of the different year groups NICER challenges for this half term. Below is an outline of how each year group spent their day at Edgmond Hall
YEAR 6
As part our Big Adventure, Year 6 took part in WW2 themed activities. These included finding out what it was like to be self-sufficient and live off the land, taking part in an air raid drill and experiencing a WW2 military style boot camp.
The activities fitted in perfectly with our topic as we are currently examining the War, including the Blitz and evacuation. The pupils got to actually sit in an real air raid shelter,just as people in the 1940’s would have. This brought to light how terrifying it must have been to experience a an air raid.
In all, year 6 returned to school full of enthusiasm as there was not a dull moment in the day. This experience at Edgmond Hall has given the pupils an outstanding start and generated a wealth of ideas.
YEAR 5
Everyone explored the grounds of Edgmond Hall on a Tudor plant hunt as Year 5’s NICER challenge is based on the Tudors. Children were asked to identify plants that were either native to Britain or imported during the Tudor period. The whole year group also ventured into the woods and used their collaboration tools to create ship outlines out of wood. At the end of the day, there was even time for a quick Tudor quiz before leaving Edgmond Hall and heading back to school.
YEAR 4
When the Year 4 children arrived at Edgmond Hall, they were greeted by a friendly team who were waiting to make their experience enjoyable and memorable. The children were eager to find out what the staff had prepared for their magical outdoor world experience. The activities consisted of: pond dipping, a nature discovery walk/tree trail, gardening and feeding various domestic animals.
Out of all of the activities that Year 4 took part in, the children’s most favourite was the pond dipping task; they all had to become ‘pond detectives’, it was great because everyone was able to get close to the wildlife found in real ponds and discover unusual findings such as: pond skaters, dragonflies and frogspawn. Everyone enjoyed using the equipment and collaborating with their partners. According to many of the children, it was the BEST trip that they had ever been on!
YEAR 3
Year 3 went on an amazing adventure to Edgmond Hall as part of their Creative Curriculum Challenge. This term the year group are focusing on adventures, in particular those of Lemuel Gulliver. Children used their collaboration tool to create a giant Gulliver out of forest materials. They also took part in map reading skills to navigate themselves around the estate. This was a fantastic experience for Year 3 which they thoroughly enjoyed!
YEAR 2
Year 2 had yet another awesome Big Adventure! At Edgmond Hall the pupils learned all about the Wild Forest which they have been exploring in class through their class novel, ‘Where the Wild Things Are’. The teachers were amazed at how the young Year 2 Children collaborated to make shelters out of wood, sticks, trees, mud and leaves; not afraid of getting their hands and clothes muddy!
The Year 2 adventure continued as the children learned the importance of being safe around an open fire and how to survive in the forest. The practical aspect of making a fire, lighting it and safely putting it out was fabulous, especially eating toasted marshmallows and singing camp fire songs. We can’t wait for our next Big Adventure!
YEAR 1
The Year 1 children and staff had a really lovely time at Edgmond Hall.
They spent their time walking through the forest trying to find Goldilocks, the children were constantly on their guard so as not to run into the three bears! Year 1 have been looking at different nursery rhymes as part of their NICER Curriculum Challenge and it was fun to see Goldilocks roaming around Edgmond Hall. The children were all hoping that the bears didn’t find her!
The Year 1 children did eventually find Goldilocks fast asleep in the bear’s cottage! She looked very sleepy indeed!
RECEPTION CLASS
All the children and staff were very excited about this year’s trip as VPA reception class were meeting up with staff and children from our sister school Rowley Park Academy. Everyone including the teachers were told to bring their teddy bears. The Reception classes were going to be having a ‘Teddy Bears Picnic’. The children, teachers and bears got onto the coach and began their journey to Edgmond Hall – luckily no one was sick on the way!
Upon arrival to Edgmond Hall, the children and staff were greeted by an array of animals: a pig, a cow and Eeyore (from Winnie the Pooh) all of the animal’s teddy bears had run away and the children were asked to take part in a bear hunt to find them. Through mud, gates, trees etc… The children searched diligently looking for bear clues, hoping that they would eventually lead them to the lost bears. After all of the clues were found, the missing bears were located and everyone sat down for a ‘Big’ Teddy Bears Picnic. After that, the children listened to stories around a real camp fire and then unfortunately it was time to go back to school.
It was evident by the children’s enjoyment and enthusiasm that this year’s ‘Big Adventure’ was a GREAT success! Thank you to staff at Edgmond Hall for helping to make our experiences real, fun, enjoyable and valuable. Thank you also to all the Rowley Parkers for sharing this year’s Big Adventure with us.