NIFSA Hall of Fame
This month saw Mr Gordon from Ballyclare Primary School finishing his Forest School
Award. Thanks go to Antrim and
NeNewtownabbeyws Council for funding his Octobertraining 2017 at Sixmilewater.
EditorialEditorial NIFSA Hall of Fame
Welcome to the October edition of NIFSA News. The Northern Ireland Forest School Association is a recognised charity promoting outdoor environmental education. Every month during, the academic year, you will receive a copy of NIFSA News. It will contain news on newly qualified schools, useful websites, Forest School books, research and developments on the website and much more. We hope you enjoy it.
Lady Dufferin - NIFSA Patron It is with great delight and honour that I can Staff from Kylemore Nursery School in announce Lady Dufferin has agreed to be Coleraine receive their Official Forest School Patron for NIFSA. Lady Dufferin is no stranger Plaque and Level 3 Certificates. Well done to supporting the environment. With the help Marian and Co. of John Witchell, Clandeboye Estate Manager, Lady Dufferin was instrumental in bringing the Woodland Trust to Northern Ireland. She has also supported TCV, formerly Conservation Volunteers Northern Ireland for over 30 years, housing the tree nursery in Clandeboye Estate. We look forward to working together and beginning to develop the Clandeboye Forest School Academy.
Staff from Ballysally Nursery School in Coleraine receiving their Official Forest School plaque and Level 3 certificates. Well done Geraldine and Co.
When somebody has completed their Forest School Leader Level 3 qualification, their Lady Dufferin, Hilary Johnston Public Health organisation receive an official NIFSA Forest Agency and John Witchell School plaque to recognise this enormous achievement. Home of the Forest School Awards
InterestingInteresting websites websites with withoutdoor outdoor activity Autumn activities ideas activity ideas http://www.naturedetectives.org.uk/autumn/
The Woodland Trust’s Nature Detectives site - http://www.naturedetectives.org.uk/ It's a brilliant time to explore the woods, as the natural world bursts into life - fresh, green leaves; bluebells blooming; bees buzzing and butterflies fluttering.
Get stuck in with free ideas and downloads.
.
A website that gives great ideas and supplies excellent resources to back up their activities.
Mini beasts http://www.naturedetectives.org.uk/downloa d/hunt_minibeasts.htm
Bug hunting
Printable ticklists of common creepy crawlies, great for bug hunts!
Go on a minibeast hunt in the woods, your garden or school grounds to see what you can find. They tend to like dark, damp places so investigate leaf piles, under logs and tiny nooks and crannies, as well as flowers and plants.
Be careful not to disturb them too much and remember to leave their homes as you find them.
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Forest School Research Book of the month Forest School Research Book of the month
Green time treatment for kids with ADHD NIFSA recommends –
Victoria Prooday, Occupational Therapist https://yourot.com/parenting- club/2017/8/23/green-time-treatment-for- adhd-symptoms
The most common misconception about children with ADHD is that they have a lot of energy and need to participate in as many extracurricular activities as possible to burn off extra energy. In my office, I see children who have an extracurricular activity almost every day of a week. Interestingly, I find that This is the first book to share Forest School the more symptoms of hyperactivity children games, crafts and skill-building activities with have, the more extracurricular activities they families and friends, its magical illustrations A are enrolled in. beautiful full-colour book by Forest School expert and teacher Sara Knight that inspires and encourages individuals of all ages to take an innovative approach to outdoor play and learning. The images throughout the book bring alive Forest School activities and each chapter is accompanied by creative ideas for practice and in depth case studies from across
the United Kingdom and Ireland exploring the The nervous system of children with ADHD is amazing variety of nature provision. Coverage in the over-aroused state. Their nervous includes: system is too stressed, too excited, too stimulated. They don’t need more…they need Rural and urban day nurseries for very young less. Children with ADHD need more children State and independent provision for calmness, more quietness, more slowness! Early Years and Primary Schools Secondary School intervention strategies for students Numerous studies have demonstrated a link with special education needs and disabilities between time spent in outdoor green space How to support parents and families with and reduction of ADHD symptoms. It is a free, Forest School Supporting people with mental simple, easily accessible, non-pharmaceutical health issues. Suggestions for further reading intervention that can benefit not only children at the end of chapters will be a helpful guide with ADHD but the whole family. Even 20 for students to read around the topic. minutes a day counts! Whether you're training to become a teacher, Good excuse to get another Forest School or already working in the outdoor classroom, Family session done. this book demonstrates how Forest School approaches are enriching learning Home of the Forest School Awards
opportunities for children, young people and manner. References from other primary adults, and deepening their connections with schools available if required. the natural world, with spectacular results. Training also includes a free parent life skills evening duration 90 minutes. Purchase the book now from No Alibis Contact Charlie Howes now for more information on the phone number below.
Tel: +44 (0)28 9031 9601 Email: [email protected] http://www.noalibis.com/default.asp
Specialist training providers Specialist Training Providers Forest ForestSchool School Family FamilyActivity activities NIFSA is also sourcing specialist trainers to compliment Forest School Programmes. We are now in Autumn. A lovely time of year with fantastic colours on the trees. It is a NIFSA recommend that all Forest School perfect time to visit your local Council and Leaders that regularly go outdoors should Forest Parks and get away from the stresses hold a paediatric first aid qualification. of everyday life.
Emergency care NI are a local Northern When you are out there, why not try this fun Ireland first aid training company. They are a activity and upload it into your Forest School dedicated small team of first aid trainers. They Family account. are currently delivering first aid training to primary schools / pre-schools. The course Making a leaf necklace they deliver is the 6 Hour Emergency first aid at work. This can be delivered over one day or in two sessions of three hours. The cost to deliver this course is normally £650 for up to 12 teachers. They give a discount of £150.00 to friends of NIFSA. If you only have a small school why not join with another local school to keep costs down for groups over 12 why not double your numbers to 24 for an extra
£300 as they simply bring in another trainer. This cost includes certification valid for 3 years Take a piece of wool or string and tie a knot at an Emergency first aid at work booklet and an one end. Use a small stick to poke a hole in individual hygiene CPR face shield keyring. any leaves you find and start threading leaves All our courses are delivered in a fun informal to make your necklace. Excellent activity and
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maybe use the opportunity to get to know your leaves.
A list of all the benefits appears and a form is pre-filled in for you with all your own details. Click whether you are paying by cheque or BACs and Submit.
Membership is £100 for an annual membership. It is voluntary but we hope you think it is good value for money. Monies received help NIFSA train and develop more Forest Schools in Northern Ireland. Forest School Awards website Forest School Awards website The Forest School Awards website – www.forestschoolawards.org has been developed by Anthony McQuillan of GlenstallIT. It is a fantastic resource and provides a one-stop shop for any organisation involved in Forest Schools. Thank you Anthony. There are new developments happening all Forest SchoolForest SchoolAwards Awards update update the time. NIFSA News will keep all Users up to date with any new initiatives.
This month we introduce the “NIFSA Membership” button.
The Forest School Awards have been NIFSA developed by NIFSA to support schools and Membership button other organisations in becoming qualified Forest Schools.
It is supported by local Councils, companies and Government Agencies in Northern To officially become a NIFSA Member (see Ireland. back page for benefits) click on this button in Organisations supporting the Forest School your MIS. Awards are:
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Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council Calls for new applications open now and ending at the start of November 2017 for North and South Belfast areas.
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council
Calls for new applications in January 2018
Schools selected for training 2017/18
Rosstulla Special School
Schools selected for training 2017/18
Beechlawn School
Pupils visit Loughshore in Jordanstown. Activity above shows pupils having to identify leaves using a leaf chart.
Ballycraigy Primary School
Students from Beechlawn visited Hillsborough Play Park. They made a map of the Park using leaves and sticks.
Downshire Primary School
Pupils visit Sixmilewater. Above pupils have to make an animal den using only the natural materials they find in the forest.
Belfast City Council
Pupils from Downshire Primary School visiting Hillsborough Play Park. Here they are making
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a creative picture of a tree using natural Mid and East Antrim Borough Council materials.
Another school will be selected by the Council for this academic year.
Mid-Ulster Council Application are open between October and November 2017 for Mid and East Antrim areas.
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Schools selected for training 2017/18
Dungannon Primary School
Balcas, is sponsoring the training of 2 schools involved in a shared education programme to make applications for 2018/19.
Watch out over the coming months for new Balcas resources to help you learn about forests.
Public Health Agency Pupils from Dungannon Primary School visiting Ranfurley House in Dungannon. Here they are making a bird’s nest.
Other schools selected are:
Gaelscoil Aodha Rua The Public Health Agency of Northern Ireland St Patrick’s Primary School, Dungannon are sponsoring organisations that have shown a strong interest in becoming a Forest School. A huge thank you to Hilary Johnston from the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Public Health Agency.
(Ring of Gullion area) Details will be announced in next month’s issue of NIFSA News.
Hilary and Lady Dufferin at Clandeboye Schools selected for training 2017/18 Estate this Jonesborough Primary School month
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IMPORTANT:
Always be kept up to date about the Forest School Awards by completing an expression of interest form.
Visit www.forestschoolawards.org and go to Apply for an Award
Lesleyanne from Rosstulla Special School looks at what is in the NIFSA Forest School Starter Kit Bag.
Each month we will look at a new activity you can do using the materials from your Kit Bag – this month – camouflage.
Enter your Post Code in the box. You will either be able to apply for an award or complete an expression of interest form. You will receive NIFSA News and notifications when an application can be made. Forest SchoolForest SchoolKit Bags Starter Kit Bags Take a small piece of wool from the red and green balls of wool. These are your worms! Winners of the Forest School Awards also receive a free Forest School Starter Kit Bag. Place your worms in This consists of a 65 litre rucksack with first your Forest School. aid kit, tarpaulins, tent pegs, bamboo canes, Try and camouflage potato peelers, collecting tubs, balls of wool them – put the green etc. All the things you need to start your own wool on a green Forest School programme. You can purchase object. the Forest School Starter Kit Bag separately for £150.
NIFSA work in partnership with Samuel Cotter of Cotters Crazy Prices based in Newtownards and Bangor. Samuel sources all the equipment Finally, get somebody else to find your and gives a very generous discount. If you are worms. They should find more red worms. thinking of purchasing any equipment give Samuel a call on 028 9147 2924.
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How Howcan my can school/organisation my school/organisation become a Forest ForestSchool SchoolLeader Leader training training Forest School?become a Forest School? 9th November 2017 There are a number of programmes NIFSA Venue: Clandeboye Estate, Bangor offer to schools/organisations. Time: 2pm a) If you are lucky enough to be in a Council area supported by the Forest This is an event for all qualified Forest School School Awards complete an Leaders and all trainee Forest School Leaders. expression of interest form and then application form when they become This will be our first training event to be held available. at Clandeboye Estate in Bangor. Guest Speakers –
Lady Dufferin will welcome everybody and enthuse us for the day.
Joan Whelan, Chair of the Irish Forest School Association will keep us up to date with what is happening with our neighbours down South.
Karin Eyben – Manager of Garvagh People’s b) A 6-week programme that has Forest. Karin will tell us all about what is everything the Forest School Awards happening over the next five years in Garvagh offers. Cost £1,500. Schools have Forest and will also take a workshop on obtained Awards for All and Shared Storytelling. Education funding to support this. This event is also for networking and sharing c) An intensive 1 day course – the Forest ideas with each other. So please come School Distance Learning Programme. prepared with one lesson you would like to A 1 day training course to cover all the share with others. essentials of obtaining the Forest School Leader Level 3 qualification. Cost £300. How canHow you can support you support NIFSA? NIFSA? https://www.forestschoolawards.org/cgi- NIFSA does not receive any core grant aid. We bin/main.cgi?page=Distance Learning Forest charge for our services and believe we are School Programme;vat=1506192017 good value for money.
You can help NIFSA in a variety of ways:
NIFSA Annual Membership
The benefits of organisation membership
a) Free Forest School Training Days
b) Entry to the NIFSA Nature Ranger Scheme to encourage continuing Forest School activity
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c) Learning About Forests – become a NIFSA is setting up a special Donation section LEAF organisation with other on the Forest School Awards website to organisations from over 27 Countries simplify this process. Donations will be targeted at specific projects. d) Directory entry in the Forest School Awards website to promote your organisation
NIFSA statistics for September 2017 e) Manage Forest School activity with
your own Management Information System NIFSA statistics for October 2017.
f) Train members of your own Since January 2017, NIFSA is working with 43 organisation in the Forest School new Forest Schools, engaged 7,469 pupils in Leadership Level 3 Award for minimal outdoor activities and registered 53 Forest cost School Families (Forest School Family scheme started in August 2017). g) Receive NIFSA News every month during term time Other partnerships h) Access to the Members Zone of the Forest School Awards website – Forest School discussion sites, Forest Brian from NIFSA met Jill Brown and her School books, training and colleagues from the Controlled Schools’ equipment, ideas for outdoor Support Council (CSSC) based in Stranmillis. activities and links to related websites The CSSC support 48% of the total schools in i) Membership goes to support the Northern Ireland. training of new Forest Schools in After a presentation by Brian and lots of brain Northern Ireland storming were lots of exciting ideas were j) Discounts on books, training and discussed, a photo was taken out in the equipment. grounds of Stranmillis.
The cost of membership
Annual membership of NIFSA costs £100.
Membership runs for one academic year e.g. 1st September – 31st August
Membership is voluntary. Schools and organisations are under increasing financial pressure and NIFSA understand current financial strains. Use the NIFSA Membership button in your MIS.
Donations
NIFSA also welcome individual donations from individuals or companies.
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