Latest news with #outdoorclassroom
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Primary school celebrates sports day and new outdoor classroom
A primary school has celebrated its sports day and the opening of its new outdoor classroom. Western Downland Church of England Primary School, in Rockbourne, Fordingbridge, welcomed the community last week for a day of sunshine and sporting fun, while unveiling its latest addition to the school, the outdoor classroom. The day started with the ribbon-cutting ceremony, led by Ann Felicity Thompson DL, Deputy Lieutenant for Hampshire, and headteacher Alice Tubbs. Mrs Tubbs said: "This space is far more than just a classroom—it is a symbol of what happens when a community comes together with a shared purpose. "It wasn't just built with tools and timber, but with heart, teamwork, and a real sense of community. "You have built more than a classroom—you have built a legacy." Read more School's inaugural sports awards evening a huge success with Paralympian guest Insurance company teams up with football club to launch school ticket scheme Community hub hold successful football festival bringing SEND students together Western Downland Primary School held its sports day with children taking part in a variety of races. (Image: Western Downland Primary School) It provided welcome shade from the sun and a restful spot for children throughout the day. The school then hosted its sports day, with children competing in races such as the egg and spoon race, sprint and javelin. The school's PTA, Friends of Western Downland, were on hand to provide refreshments, raising money for the school. The school has recently been awarded the Platinum School Games Award, which is the highest national recognition for excellence in physical education. This accolade is presented to schools that have achieved four consecutive Gold School Games Awards and have demonstrated sustained commitment to high-quality sport and physical activity. Mrs Tubbs said: "We are thrilled to receive the Platinum School Games Award. "It is a wonderful recognition of the value we place on physical activity, wellbeing, and sport here at Western Downland. "Our staff and pupils work incredibly hard to make sport accessible, inclusive, and enjoyable for everyone, and this award celebrates that commitment.'
CBC
22-07-2025
- General
- CBC
Yellowknife school launches land-based junior kindergarten
Gloria Gaudet has been teaching junior kindergarten for two years, and come the fall, she will be doing it a whole new way. She will lead Weledeh Catholic School in Yellowknife's first land-based junior kindergarten class. "I am excited and a little nervous. I think it's such a great opportunity to connect to the children, to the land and our traditional ways at an early age," she said. "And it's also a big responsibility." The new program, open to up to 20 kids, will split the school day between an indoor and outdoor classroom, merging the existing junior kindergarten curriculum with outdoor play and traditional knowledge. So far, three quarters of the spots have already filled up. The program has been in the works since last fall and was designed with help from Weledeh staff, the school district's Indigenous language education team and their connections with the community, from whom they sought feedback. "One of the biggest things we heard is that we want these kids to understand the importance of the land and how valuable it is," said Paul Kelly, the school's new principal. He also sees the return to play as a potential way to fend off the rise in mental health concerns observed in schools "not just here, but all over the world." Kelly says the aim is to bring back opportunities for adventure, exploration, and safely taking healthy risks while playing outside that have been missing from the existing model. Weledeh is in the early stages of building a fenced outdoor classroom area, and will have a fire and cabin for the winter. Part of the outdoor learning will also happen through field trips where possible. Kelly says some existing facilities on the school grounds will also be used for the class, like tents that provide warmth in the winter. Mandee McDonald, a faculty member at the land-based Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning in Yellowknife, says she has not seen many models combining land-based and Western education in the public education system. "The value that I see in land-based programming is specifically from Indigenous knowledge holders being able to teach land-based knowledge, connection to the land, Indigenous worldviews to Indigenous students," she said. "Though I also strongly think that all those lessons around Indigenous worldviews and ways of doing and ways of being are extremely beneficial for all young people to learn." Kelly said that while the school is only starting with junior kindergarten, there are hopes to scale up the program all the way up to high school in due time. "I think in the back of our minds, everyone who's invested in this is thinking next year it's going to be kindergarten, maybe down the road it's going to be Grade 1 and 2," he said. McDonald says she sees promise in exposing the students to ways of knowing the Western curriculum doesn't include. "In my experience, with the public education system, and this is kind of documented in the literature as well, there's a lot of underlying racist assumptions built into Western models of education and the things that we're taught in the school system," she said. She says offering a land-based program can be a way to undermine that. At Weledeh, the plan is for elders to visit the outdoor classroom to share their language and culture with the children. Gaudet expects the kids in her class will learn about Dene law, fire-feeding, drumming and more. "I am very excited to have the community involved at the school, tell their story and share their stories," she said.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Yahoo
School community completes 80 day journey around the world
A school community has completed an inspiring journey around the world in just 80 days. Tudor Grange Primary Academy Perdiswell raised £1,782 through its 'Around the World' challenge to fund a new outdoor classroom and Forest School project. Pupils, staff, and families walked, ran, scooted, and cycled a combined 33,000 miles—enough to travel the circumference of the globe. Oliver Norman, principal at Tudor Grange Primary Academy Perdiswell, said: "Our children have gone above and beyond – they've moved, they've learned, they've raised awareness, and they've built something lasting for future pupils. "We couldn't be prouder. "A huge thank you goes to everyone who donated, cheered us on, and joined the journey." The journey wasn't just about covering miles. As the community reached each new country along the route, pupils explored its culture through themed assemblies and classroom activities. A Year 3 pupil said: "I came to school every day on my scooter, even though we usually drive. "I enjoyed learning about lots of different countries, especially Brazil." So far, the challenge has raised £1,782 to help fund a dedicated outdoor learning space featuring a nature-rich Forest School area, outdoor cooking and gardening zones, and spaces for storytelling, performance, and reflection. The school is still welcoming donations to help bring its outdoor classroom project to life. Supporters can contribute through the school's fundraising page at The fundraising effort extended beyond the challenge itself. A summer fair organised by the PTA brought families together and raised additional funds, while a community Grounds Day saw staff, children, and parents volunteering to improve the school's outdoor areas. City councillor for St Stephen's Ward, Alex Mace, donated £200 from his ward fund and joined volunteers on the day. The school continues to apply for grants and run volunteer schemes, including regular gardening days.
BBC News
06-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Centrepoint children's charity to get outdoor arts classroom
A children's charity in Jersey is set to benefit from a new outdoor classroom to help youngsters who have emotional, behavioural or additional classroom will be used by Centrepoint for therapeutic art and outreach in 1984, the charity is one of the largest childcare providers on the island, supporting more than 600 children through a wide range of services. CEO Jane Moy said the service would enable children to do something "enjoyable and achievable without the pressure of being in a school classroom." 'Increasing demand' Ms Moy said: "There is increasing demand for mental health and emotional well-being support in early years and primary-aged children and teachers, and early-years professionals are seeking external expertise for children that need alternative approaches to engagement. "We have also found that since the pandemic, the need for inclusive, trauma-informed and creative support strategies is growing across the playground is being funded by recruitment firm GR8. Jersey and Guernsey operations director Diane Sumnall said it was "natural we would assist in enabling Centrepoint".She said: "Cost of living pressures are making it difficult for charities to source funding for their projects, so we are very pleased that our support will enable Centrepoint to build the outdoor classroom they need."The project is due to be complete in September.
CTV News
16-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
New greenhouse classroom brings ‘hands-on learning to the forefront' at Sunnyside School
An elementary school northeast of Lethbridge now has an outdoor classroom where students can learn about growing their own food, seed to table.
