Dare To Be Your Best Self
AT RIVERSIDE PRIMARY ACADEMY, we are always looking for new ways to improve and enrich our curriculum for all children. This term our pupils have been very excited to participate in our inspirational new initiative, Forest Schools. Mrs Judge is our newly qualified Forest School Leader, who is working outdoors with ALL children.
During Forest Schools the children will participate in wonderful fun activities such as: fire activities, storytelling (around our fire circle), art-attack, using hand-tools safely, exploring nature, go bug hunting, learn lifelong gardening skills such as, plant veg, fruits and flowers. They will also learn practical woodland skills, knot making, building dens and also have time to be quiet, and reflect or talk in a friendly, nonchallenging environment.
One parent told us: “My son is so excited about being outdoors now! He no longer wants to stay in his room playing on his Xbox, instead he wants to go on nature walks, pick conkers and learn about natural things!”
Forest School offers our children regular opportunities to appreciate and enjoy the local area. They will develop an understanding and respect for natural places and experience nature at first hand, through a series of engaging and active tasks. The Forest School experience brings learning to life and improves a child’s ability to work co-operatively whilst offering them opportunities to take risks, make choices and initiate learning. Forest Schools will also improve children’s confidence, self-esteem and communication skills, as well as giving them an opportunity to have lots of fun! The children also develop skills in team work, using tools safely and learning about looking after our environment.
Ava excitedly said: “I’ve learnt so much already from Forest School and it’s free!” Charlie in Year 4 said: “It is my favourite thing to do at school!” ON TUESDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER, four extremely lucky pupils were chosen to represent our Academy at The Prince William Award Graduation Event.
We travelled to the University of Birmingham where we were warmly welcomed by our SkillForce instructors Sarah, David and Nikki, who showed us the way to the spectacular Great Hall. (In Riverside Primary Academy PWA is delivered by SkillForce.) Our children were delighted to hear HRH the Duke of Cambridge talk about the impact and benefits of building character skills such as resilience and self-confidence.
Having had first-hand experience of taking part in The Prince William Award, our pupils were keen to see the wonderful things other schools across the country had achieved.
On the day, we were even more surprised to find out that the Master of Ceremonies was indeed the one and only David Walliams! What a memorable day for us all!