Last Thursday, the Francis Holland Foresters of Years 4, 5 and 6 embarked upon an epic adventure to Wimbledon Common. The girls had been busy practising their sun dances the day before the trip, and although there were no rays of sunshine to be seen, everyone was thrilled that it didn’t rain. After arriving at the Common, the girls ventured into the wild woods for their first activity, bushcraft skills. The day took on an historical theme with Year 4 assuming the role of Roman soldiers, Year 5 the Anglo-Saxon army, and Year 6 the vicious Vikings. They were given strict instructions that upon sailing across the shores to Britain, during their respective time periods, they needed to make shelters in order to survive. Girls split into groups and began to make ‘lean-to tarpaulin shelters’ in which they had to commit to team bonding skills, problem solving and overcoming the challenges of the woods! The afternoon saw different forms of outdoor learning for each year group linked to the girls’ current curriculum in school. A thoroughly enjoyable day spent in the great outdoors.

Mr Russell, Year 6 Class Teacher