Ref: Fei/Ne

Ref: Fei/Ne

NewportOutdoor Learning WalesNetwork GroupMeeting

Ringland Primary School

13th November 2014 – 4pm

Minutes

  1. Welcome, introductions and apologies:

Present:

Kathy Barclay & Petra Mitchard (GWT), Natalie Waller (NCC), Pavla Boulton (Caerleon College),, Elinor Rickus (Ysgol Ifor Hael), Jessica Blackmore & Beth Ford (Lliswerry Primary), Sharon Ahern (Pentrepoeth Primary), Ruth Bishop (Ringland Primary), Amy Pimm (Glan Usk Primary), Helen Rees & Stacey Brooks (High Cross Primary), Barbara Brown (Museum of Wales) and Haf Leyshon (NRW)

Apologies:

Marc Benson (NCC), Jo Tymms (Maindee Primary)

  1. Matters arising from the last minutes:

All Minutes agreed and actions completed

  1. Finance update:

Bank Account update £6,726.91

  1. Current projects:

Raising Standards through outdoor learning for all key stages:

  • Need to complete final report – HL/NW
  • Full pack is available online at under Newport Network Group Downloads

AP - Sub-Group involved with project need to raise invoices for Supply cover and send to Elinor at Ysgol Gynradd Ifor Hael.

  • Welsh translation to be made
  • Page numbers to be added to pack

Themed Grant - £300

  • Will be running a skill share/launch event at Tredegar house on the 21st November 2014 10am-12pm
  • 2 classes attending – cost of transport covered by funding. Year 3 and 4 classes from Glan Usk and St Michael’s Primary
  • Natalie, Haf, Pavla, Kathy and Petra to run activity sessions including Autumn, Trees, Christmas activities from the pack
  • Marc to look after the fire for children to have hot chocolate and marshmallows at the end (staggered)

AP – HL to write up timetable and send to teachers

AP – If you would like to attend the launch event please contact Haf on ASAP

  1. OPAL Survey Demonstration

Barbara Brown gave a demonstration regarding OPAL Surveys available to all schools.

If you would like to have further information please contact Barbara on

Please see the OPAL website for further information and free downloads about the pack.

6. Updates from those present:

Caerleon College

  • Students coming into year 1 will be moving to the new Newport Campus as Caerleon College is closing down
  • Completed a level 1 forest school course with students last year
  • Working with training network Agored Cymru to complete a coastal schools and forest schools modules and update them.

Ringland Primary

  • Will be working with community leader in the local area to develop him to do forest schools and outdoor learning with year 5 class
  • EIF grant successful to have equipment for outdoor learning and forest schools.

Ysgol Ifor Hael

  • Foundation phase children getting out to outdoor learning a lot
  • Trying to incorporate this into KS2 curriculum
  • 1 teacher from Yr 3 will be attending the launch event

Glan Usk Primary

  • Some of disadvantaged groups in the school get out to do 1 day of outdoor learning
  • Outdoor Learning used by FP a lot

High Cross Primary

  • Foundation phase – have timetabled opportunities to go and do outdoor learning
  • Have used Hocus Pocus session from the pack
  • KS2 - looking to incorporate this more into the curriculum.

Gwent Wildlife Trust

  • Some Christmas visits still available
  • Willing to come into schools to coincide with RSPB Bird Watch
  • Ran an outdoor learning practitioner award at Magor Marsh with NW. 11 teachers attended. May run another course in spring 2015.
  • Teacher training opportunities – ABC literacy & grounds to growth
  • If anyone would like any further information about the above – please contact Kathy/Petra at Magor Marsh

Lliswerry Primary

  • Starting outdoor learning sessions with early years first, and hopeing to work this through the whole school.
  • Worked hard to transform their outdoor area for this
  • Waiting to hear from EIF regarding grant application
  • Have included the pack within their half term of planning. Will hopefully take this through to KS2 in the future.

Pentrepoeth Primary

  • Using FS and OL for maths, English and PE
  • Taught throughout the school
  • Will be starting back up for OL after Christmas

Newport County Council

  • Helping schools to develop grounds
  • Some schools booked in for Allt yr Yn – more available if required!
  • Good time of year for tree planting, making nest boxes, willow maintenance
  • If anyone would like any further information about the above – please contact Natalie

6. Local and National updates:

Outdoor Learning Wales (OLW) –

  • Website up and running
  • There is a facebook page that everyone can follow ‘Outdoor Learning Wales Network’ which has lots of regular updates on activities, courses and NRW Education staff. It is a closed group, but you are free to request to join and will be accepted.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) –

  • The education team are running as usual with lots of visits available to local environments. These can include grasslands, nature reserves, woodlands, rivers, lakes and many more. These activities can be tailored to anything you are doing in school. If you would like any further information please contact
  • Teacher training opportunities for twighlight and INSET sessions. Free of charge. Contact Haf for more information.

AOB

None

8. Date and venue of next meeting:

5th February 2015 – Lliswerry Primary School

Bring outdoor clothing as we will be going outside to see their grounds

OLWNetwork Group Minutes Last Updated March 2014

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