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A "Bee-utiful" Morning at Twickenham Apiary!
A "Bee-utiful" Morning at Twickenham Apiary!
Reception Anning class had a fantastic adventure this week on their trip to Twickenham Apiary. It was a morning full of curiosity and excitement as the children uncovered the secret lives of bees, exploring the hives and discovering how these incredible insects help our environment. The children didn’t just watch the bees; they truly stepped into their world by reenacting the lifecycle of a bee, moving through the stages from egg to adult. There was even the option to hold drone bees. Since drones do not have stingers, the children were able to enjoy a safe, hands-on encounter with these members of the hive.
I caught up with Amber, who clearly came away from the visit with a wealth of new knowledge. She explained that not all bees are created equally, identifying the different roles within the hive including the helper bees, the baby bees, the drones, and the Queen. Amber was also very quick to share some of her new facts, noting that only girl bees have a stinger. She then walked me through the clever "6-5-4-3-2-1" rule for bee anatomy: 6 legs, 5 eyes, 4 wings, 3 body parts, 2 antennae, and 1 stinger!
Shaun from Twickenham Apiary shared some lovely feedback following the visit, noting that it was great to meet our first Reception class and that they all behaved in an exemplary fashion. He also mentioned that it was a particularly blustery day, as he spent much of the morning "wrestling the Hide" against the wind, and he expressed his hope that the weather might be a little calmer for King Class' visit in two weeks time.
We are incredibly proud of how well the children represented our school. Their exemplary behavior and enthusiasm made the trip a huge success, despite the challenging weather. A big thank you goes to Shaun and the team at the Apiary for hosting us, as well as to all the parents who supported us on the trip.
A Journey of Courage, Friendship and Fun: Year 4 at PGL
A Journey of Courage, Friendship and Fun: Year 4 at PGL
There was a mixture of excitement and nervous energy as the children set off for their first residential at PGL Marchants Hill. For many, it was their first time away from home - and those feelings came through clearly in their reflections. Rowena described feeling “very excited but a little bit nervous,” while Isla shared she felt “excited and wobbly because I was away from my parents - but it looked so cool.” Lotte captured that same contrast, explaining there were “lots of fun things but they could also be scary too.” As they arrived, their attention quickly turned to their surroundings - from Thomas noticing “the smell of chips!” to Anthony spotting “the climbing wall, forests and our cabins.” As Thomas put it, “It’s exciting and nerve-wracking at first - then you have so much fun!”
Back at school, I invited Isla D, Thomas, Rowena, Anthony, Sonny and Lotte to share their reflections - talking together and jotting down their thoughts. What stood out immediately was how fresh the experience still felt. They were brimming with excitement, bubbly as they spoke, interrupting themselves with whispered reminders - “oh yeah, do you remember…” - followed by giggles as another memory surfaced. It felt as though the trip was still unfolding between them.
The activities were a clear highlight. The zipline was described as “super thrilling,” with Anthony and Lotte both naming it as a favourite, while Sonny shared that archery stood out because “I had never done it before,” and Thomas admitted, “I didn't think I'd enjoy archery, but actually it was fun.” Moments of challenge quickly became moments of pride, from Thomas “making it to the top” of the climbing wall to Rowena surprising herself by enjoying it. What stood out most was the way children faced their fears and kept going. Sonny explained, “I said to myself, If my friends can go down the zipline, I can too!” Thinking about how proud their families would be helped some to persevere, and along the way, children began to discover new strengths.
Being away from home brought a few quieter moments of uncertainty. Anthony remembered thinking, “How am I going to sleep!” while Lotte reflected, “At first I felt nervous but once we’d settled in it was fine.” Sonny spoke about how being with friends in the dorm helped him feel more comfortable, and Isla noticed “all the best parts” of her friends during the trip. There was a strong sense of teamwork throughout, with children encouraging one another and, as Sonny described, really feeling “part of a team.”
As the children looked back, it was clear how many moments had stayed with them - from Thomas “making it to the top of the climbing wall” to Anthony remembering the campfire and “sleeping in the cabin with my friends.” Sonny also reflected on the campfire, where “we sang songs and told stories,” while Lotte fondly mentioned the food, especially “the huge salad bar.” Their advice to next year’s Year 4 felt both honest and reassuring. Isla shared, “You don’t have to do anything you’re scared of doing - but you will have so much fun if you do,” and Lotte added a practical tip: “Remember to bring a camera, because there are so many things you’ll want to take a picture of.”
On behalf of all the Year 4 children, we would like to thank the staff who accompanied them on the trip. Their care and encouragement helped to create such special experiences and lasting memories.
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