Brockswood School 27 th November – 4 th December 2015 A week of ‘muck and magic’

Wick Hall – Tudor Mansion in Gloucestershire – 2 hour coach journey.

Wick Hall – Tudor Mansion in Gloucestershire

A week on the farm is an intense and magical experience. Children look after farm animals, share mealtimes, learn about where there food comes from. Children are given an opportunity to feed, groom, muck-out and stock check all the different animals on the farm.

Mucking Out – hard work but fun as part of a team.

Children collect eggs from chicken hutches and then enjoy them at mealtimes. Enjoying nature walks and learning rural crafts give them a first hand experience of a different life. Bee keeping teaches children where delicious honey comes from and makes them realize the importance of the humble bee.

Children are accommodated in comfortable, warm, dry dormitories. There are games rooms and a library at Wicks Farm and children enjoy fun-filled evenings of team building activities – they do not even miss the television and X-box

Children enjoy delicious, plentiful, home cooked meals using the farms own organic produce whenever possible. They are even involved in helping prepare meals. Special dietary requirements are available to ensure ALL children are catered for.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Essential clothing Waterproof coats, trousers and wellingtons are essential for all children and adults out on the farm. Please check that all children have a waterproof jacket and trousers suitable for hosing down at the end of each farm session. Please note we do NOT have spare waterproofs. Healthy eating We are very proud of our home cooked food. Our Cooks, Mandy and Celia, use our own produce whenever possible and believe that learning about healthy eating. Please ensure dietary and medical forms are returned at least one week before your visit to enable the Cooks to plan and order for your menu. We ask schools not to bring sweets/crisps/fizzy drinks etc. We serve 3 delicious meals every day, a morning snack and hot chocolate at bedtime. The children are very well fed! Bedding All bedding is provided and beds will be made up for your arrival, but visitors need to bring their own towels. The children’s beds have waterproof mattresses.

Group 1Group 2Group amHouseworkCalves and sheepPoultry and horses 8.30amBreakfast clearing 9.30amCalves and cow yard at Oldbury Pig sties and calf yard Stables 11amDrink and biscuit 11.30amActivities with teachers 12.30pmLunch clearing 2pm GardeningSeasonal farm tasks Seasonal farm tasks at Oldbury 3.45pmPoultry and horsesActivities with teachers Milking at Oldbury 5pmSupper Clearing Supper 5.45pmIndoors for showersCows and calves at Oldbury Pigs and calves at 7.30pmIndoorsIndoors for showers

 No mobile phones  The Blog will be updated daily with pictures and information from the trip.  Letters home – Half way through the week the children will be able to open a letter from you and also write a letter home. Please put your letter and also a stamped addressed envelope inside their suitcase.

Some of our own children’s sentiments from their visit: I am excited to come home tomorrow but I like it here because I have made new friends like Sam and Jaden and have loved eating so much food!! I loved going to Oldbury farm and feeding the calves and cows. (Charlie – Willow) It is really fun here and I have made new friends this week. Today we have made a big bonfire outside using lots of logs. I really enjoyed it. Tomorrow we are going to Slimbridge and I hope I will like it there. (Reka – Willow) The school trip so far is awesome. All the children are enjoying it because they love the animals and making new friends. (Oliver – Oak) 'You were all brilliant!! Worked hard, had fun and didn't moan - can we keep you all for another week please?!' (Dave - FFCC)

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