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Each week we take the opportunity to get the children outside to enjoy the beautiful surroundings that we have in, and around Greystoke School. 

Every Wednesday, we visit our 'Welly Wednesday Camp' deep in the forest surrounding Greystoke Castle. It is an amazing opportunity for all of our children to develop a sense of nature and wellbeing.

We aim to provide an opportunity for individuals;

to develop, to learn and to enjoy themselves

to provide a safe and non-threatening environment in which children can take risks, make choices and initiate their own learning

to help children understand, appreciate and care for the natural environment.

Our EYFS children had a fantastic time at Welly Wednesday, searching for signs of winter as part of their work on seasons! 🌿🔍 The Nursery children used their special winter viewers to spot seasonal changes, while our Reception children showed off their computing skills by using iPads to capture photos of what they discovered. 📸💡We found red berries, evergreen trees, pine cones, holly, snowdrops, and bare branches—clear signs that winter is here! ❄️🌲🍂 After our adventure, we found the perfect spot to sketch some beautiful winter landscapes, taking inspiration from all the seasonal treasures we had seen. 🎨🖌️A brilliant afternoon of outdoor learning, creativity, and curiosity!

This week, we seized the opportunity to revisit some vital maths skills, and the children really rose to the occasion. We began our session by diving into the delightful story, My Mum and Dad Make Me Laugh by Nick Sharratt. The tale playfully explores the quirky love of spotty and stripey patterns from the parents, while their son favours something much simpler—plain old grey!
After that, it was time for some hands-on fun! The children ventured outside to collect an array of natural materials, including pine cones, sticks, and leaves. They then channeled their creativity into designing their own repeating patterns. The results were simply brilliant—everyone made some amazing patterns!
What a thrilling Welly Wednesday we had today! After learning about the significance of Bonfire Night, the children truly brought their knowledge to life by investigating sparklers! We gathered in the garden to discuss the essential safety measures around fireworks, and the excitement was palpable as Mrs Willis safely lit sparklers and the children observed their colour, sight and sounds from a safe distance.
The fun didn't stop there! The children then took their creativity to the next level by crafting some edible sparkler treats. They absolutely loved it! After a tasty time, we gathered natural materials for their very own stick sparklers. With pine cones, colourful leaves, and some lovely grass, their creations were simply enchanting! To top it all off, they added a splash of sparkle with beautiful embellishments, making each stick a true masterpiece.
What a fantastic way to celebrate and learn!
This week, we have delved into the enchanting story of 'The Colour Monster' by Anna Llenas, exploring the intriguing world of emotions and how they can sometimes become mixed up. Our discussions have sparked fascinating conversations, allowing the children to express their own feelings and experiences.
Today was particularly exciting as we transformed our learning into a delicious activity—making mixed-up Colour Monster toast! The children were captivated as they listened attentively to a demonstration on how to safely light a fire. Many bravely seized the opportunity to try using the fire steels, showcasing their growing confidence and understanding.
In addition to this, the children freely shared their own experiences with fire, emphasising the critical importance of safety and the need to never light fires without supervision. The colourful toast looked fantastic, and it was a joy to see the children relishing it during their afternoon snack. What a delightful and educational week it has been!

We embarked on an exciting adventure to discover the wonderful colours of autumn! Armed with our trusty Colour Monster book, which we've been enjoying in class, the children created their very own emotion jars to help articulate how the different colours made them feel.

Our walk was filled with wonder as the children observed the rich tapestry of natural objects surrounding us—from the vibrant reds of falling leaves to the earthy browns of twigs and acorns. As they enthusiastically filled their jars with these treasures, we also brought along our beloved Colour Monsters, who offered support and encouragement throughout our exploration.
Today was a truly special day! All of the children’s hard work planning a party for our dear friend Maisy Mouse culminated in a delightful celebration, as she turned the fabulous age of 4! Over the past week, the children have been busy designing and crafting party hats, writing shopping lists for all the tastiest party food, and even brainstorming fun games to play. They didn’t stop there—delicious cupcakes were baked and beautifully decorated too!
At Welly Wednesday camp, Maisy arrived in her lovely party dress, ready to celebrate! The children enjoyed a lively game of pass the parcel, had a thrilling round of hide and seek, and danced like nobody was watching. The day was rounded off with a glorious feast and, of course, the cheerful chorus of “Happy Birthday!” ringing through the air. 
Today, it might have been a bit chilly outside, but that didn't stop us from creating lots of music at Welly Wednesday! The children have been diving into their current topic on celebrations, and what better way to celebrate than by making our own instruments?
Armed with natural materials and a few additional embellishments, the children set to work crafting their very own jingle sticks and guitars. It was wonderful to see them honing their safe hammer and nail skills while bringing their instruments to life. 
Once their masterpieces were complete, we were treated to an absolutely joyous celebration filled with dancing and singing.
The children enjoyed a lovely, autumnal walk around the village, making our way to Welly Wednesday camp. They were on the lookout for all the signs that this beautiful season is upon us.
It was amusing to see them notice the change in temperature from last week – a few little fingers were quite chilly by the end of our session! The nursery children diligently used their scavenger hunt sheets, excitedly searching for signs of autumn. Meanwhile, our reception superstars were engaged in thinking about their five senses, jotting down what they saw, heard, felt, tasted, and smelled.
Now that we’ve gathered some wonderful insights about autumn, we’re going to channel our creativity into crafting an autumn-themed poem. We can't wait to share the results!
We started our session by diving into the word “Harvest.” The children were so eager to share their thoughts, and it was delightful to hear their ideas. To further explore the topic, we watched a short video on harvest celebrations in the UK, which got everyone thinking about the delicious foods that autumn brings.
Following this, we went on our own harvesting adventure! Off we went to the apple tree by the village hall, where the children happily picked some lovely apples. Back at the Welly Wednesday camp, we combined our freshly picked apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, and raisins to whip up some scrumptious baked apples. Cooking them over the campfire was an absolute highlight, and the taste was even better! It was the perfect snack to enjoy after such a busy day.