For a second year running, pupils transitioning from S2 to S3 at Forres Academy visited Findhorn Hinterland to learn a little about the land and the conservation work that happens here. This is part of a partnership between the school and FHT that has been funded by the Newbold Legacy Trust. Here’s how one pupil described the day:
“Three groups of S2 pupils and our teachers learnt about how trees make their own energy and grow to produce fruit and absorb CO2 in our air.
“We learnt through games and activities, which felt a bit unusual but fun. Even Mrs Riddoch joined in being part of our big tree and some of the teachers represented bark, so they had to move around barking!
“The ecovillage educators were experienced at teaching and encouraged us all to take part, listen together and learn something.
“We used drop toilets made from wood from the trees.
“The beach session was warm, refreshing and arty. The pupils made sculptures out of smooth pebbles. Some were semi-buried in pebbles.
“We were shown how to examine lichens and moss using a hand lens. We pulled up hundreds of evergreen tree seedlings on a small area of sandy land where the biodiversity is being encouraged and not taken over by the trees. I saw lipstick lichen – red and tiny!
“After that we made bird boxes with some really good volunteers who helped with the planks of wood, saws, drills etc.
“Thanks go out to Jonathan, Roy, Colin, Alan and everyone who facilitated our activity days! It was very memorable and relaxing.”
