On Tuesday I visited Our Lady & St Chad Catholic Academy for our last theraputic forest school session of term. Today’s focus was gratitude, supporting each other, perseverance and team work.
The students gathered around the fire circle as we remembered our rules which keep us safe. As it was the last session of term, the students were in for a treat 
. Before we went lit the big fire 
, we spoke about the fire triangle 
. The elements needed to create a successful fire .
. Before we went lit the big fire , we spoke about the fire triangle . The elements needed to create a successful fire .
We spoke about the flint and steel which is what’s used to make our fires in forest school.
in forest school.The students each had a turn to create a spark 
. Once mastered the spark we split into two teams. We played a team game to encourage the students to support each other and work as a team.
. Once mastered the spark we split into two teams. We played a team game to encourage the students to support each other and work as a team.The students were racing against the other team, each student had to make a spark using the flint and steel before the other team. We played the game twice swapping flint and steels over, as some students had a preference to which flint and steel they liked to work with.
Once finished, some students helped me build and light the fire . Once the fire was ready the students demonstrated some fantastic respect positions as they toasted their marshmellows 
, we used biscuits to make s’mores. The students were also treated to a hot chocolate to wash it all down with .
. Once the fire was ready the students demonstrated some fantastic respect positions as they toasted their marshmellows , we used biscuits to make s’mores. The students were also treated to a hot chocolate to wash it all down with .
The students also had some free time to explore forest school, on offer was :
Flint and steel practice around the fire circle. Clay creations. Den building. Digging.The students gathered around the fire circle at the end of the session, we spoke about gratitude 
and things we can be proud of and thankful for as we have reached the end of term. The students took a moment as they thought about this quietly.
and things we can be proud of and thankful for as we have reached the end of term. The students took a moment as they thought about this quietly.It has been lovely working with year 7, 8 and 9 this term, I hope you all enjoy your half term break 
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