SBS Farm Blog September
After a small but vital distraction while Mrs Strugnall did a temporary fix to the wind-damaged cycle gate, I was delighted to be shown the new hexagonal cabin which had just gone up for the farm and after-school club. It is hard to put into words just how beautiful this space will be and what a wonderful part of the farm and school it will become! With seasoned wood and low benches all around the inside, light streams in from the apex light dome and there is a real sense of being at one with the surroundings. With low windows that will let in spring and summer breezes and plans to make it a cosy cushion-filled snug for those winter afternoons, the cabin is a beautiful addition to the farm and an inspiring space for learning.
Slabs are urgently needed to put outside the door so the children can take off their muddy wellies, put them on racks and then come in onto the smooth wooden floor. Mrs Strugnall and Miss Lowe will involve the children in creating and designing the space and plan to have storage boxes for craft under the benches and a table in the centre to gather around. Electricity will be installed and the cabin decorated with branches and fairy lights.
Another new structure for the SBS farm is also now in place– a large polytunnel by the hall. There will be working parties to build planters from pallets with a view to get some early vegetables planted out before winter. This will also be a great resource for the pupils and contribute to the healthy eating plans for school lunches and after-school club. Can you help build planters or can you get lots of topsoil – both needed soon! The gardener who created the NHS garden at the New Forest County Show has donated herbs to get SBS polytunnel planting underway.
Meanwhile how are the chickens and pigs? Mrs Strugnall did admit to feeling a tiny bit of trepidation about families coming into feed during the school holidays, but all went well, and they are all thriving. Mr Howard is currently upgrading the fencing to the pig area and other pathways are about to be dug out and sorted before the weather gets more autumnal! The recent rain has re-filled the pond, and the garden areas are greening again. There are more nettles to clear and an area of mint to pot up before it takes over the garden.
If you walk into school across the meadow from the church, you will notice that the fruit trees are doing well – many thanks to the farm team for watering them all through the hot dry summer!
Depending on the staffing ratios, the after-school club will be offering up to twenty places per day and now provide a hot meal for those attending. There will be crafts and taking care of the farm as well as sports on Tuesdays with Mr May. Mrs Strugnall and Miss Lowe are busy planning and developing the activities – conker caterpillars and love hearts will feature later this month, for example.
Suzanne – Nanna to Lara Rose – Elmer class
