🌿 Wild Challenge Adventure – Outdoor Learning Fun! 🌞
Today our Primary 5–7 class enjoyed a brilliant afternoon outside, adding another exciting activity towards our RSPB Wild Challenge for Schools! We are so close to earning our Bronze Award — just one more activity to go, so we’re hoping this one will count once we send away all of our evidence!
This afternoon’s focus was finding different habitats around our school grounds. The pupils paired up and explored the area with a checklist, spotting a variety of habitats such as bushes, different types of grasses, flower beds, dead wood, insect houses, and bird boxes. It was amazing to see how much wildlife-friendly space we actually have around us!
After that, we tried another fun activity called Shake the Tree. In their pairs, the children gently shook bushes and trees to see if any insects fell off. If they spotted any, they carefully recorded their findings by describing what they had seen.
Everyone had a fantastic time, and it was even more special because the sun shone for us all day! ☀️ We spent the whole afternoon outside, enjoying nature and working towards our Wild Challenge.
Well done, Primary 5–7 — we’re nearly there!
#OutdoorLearning #WildChallenge #LearningThroughNature #StJosephs
🧒 UNCRC Rights
- Article 3 – Best interests of the child: Activities were planned to support pupils’ well-being, enjoyment, and learning outdoors.
- Article 12 – Respect for the views of the child: Pupils shared their ideas and observations as part of their learning.
- Article 24 – Health and health services: Pupils benefited from outdoor activity, fresh air, and environmental education.
- Article 29 – Goals of education: Activities developed understanding, curiosity, and care for the environment.
- Article 31 – Leisure, play and culture: Pupils engaged in active, playful exploration outdoors.
🌍 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 3 – Good Health and Well-being: Physical activity and time in nature supported pupils’ health.
- Goal 4 – Quality Education: Pupils learned actively through outdoor, real-world experiences.
- Goal 13 – Climate Action: Pupils explored habitats and understood the importance of protecting nature.
- Goal 15 – Life on Land: Learning focused on valuing and supporting biodiversity.
🌈 SHANARRI Indicators
- Safe – Activities were carefully supervised outdoors.
- Healthy – Pupils benefited from fresh air, sunshine, and physical activity.
- Achieving – Pupils worked towards a national Wild Challenge award.
- Nurtured – Pupils supported each other when exploring and investigating.
- Active – Pupils moved around and engaged physically with their environment.
- Respected – Everyone’s ideas and observations were valued.
- Responsible – Pupils cared for the school grounds and the living creatures around them.
- Included – Every pupil took part, regardless of ability.
🧠 Meta-skills
- Collaborating – Pupils worked in pairs to complete tasks.
- Communicating – Pupils discussed and recorded their observations.
- Curiosity – Pupils showed excitement when discovering different habitats and insects.
- Sense-making – Pupils made sense of what different habitats support.
- Critical Thinking – Pupils analysed and described their findings carefully.
- Adapting – Pupils adjusted their approach when needed during exploration.
✝️ Strands of Faith (RERC)
- Mystery of God – Appreciating the wonder and beauty of God’s creation in nature.
- In the Image of God – Caring for creation, as we are called to be stewards of the Earth.
- Reign of God – Acting responsibly and respectfully towards all living things as part of building God’s Kingdom.
