We're going on a bat hunt

Although it's a little early in the year for bats to be out of hibernation we though after this very mild winter we'd see if any where up and about early this year. So this week we borrowed some of the bat detectors from the library and set off into the woods.

It was a early in the even for the bats to be out, so before we got the bat detectors out we had time for a few round of capture the flag. Great fun was had using the bushes as cover and trying to sneak up on the other team's base.

After a drink it was time to try out the bat detectors. There were lots of birds swooping around over the woods, so we thought there were probably insects out. A yummy meal if you are a bat
Having tuned the detectors in we demonstrated how they work by listening in to a jangling bunch of keys, investigating how far away we could hear them, and how accurately the bat detectors had to be pointing at the source of the noise.

As we walked around the pond and along the stream we kept as quiet as we could and listened in to the detectors.
Sadly we were not in luck tonight, perhaps the bats are still in hibernation or we were too early in the evening. We'll defiantly be trying again later in the year though, as it was great fun.

April Fool

The Pioneers started planning their jokes early this year, these fake spilled drinks were great fun to make but do take a long time to dry.


However, they were worth the wait, it seems quite a few parents have had to do a double take this week..

Plaster casting

The Pioneers have spent a couple of weeks working on some plaster casts, first using plasticine to create their moulds. It's tricky remembering that the eventual cast will be a mirror image, especially if yo are doing lettering.

Once the moulds were complete it was time to mix the plaster and pour it in. As it takes a while to set it was a whole week before they could reveal the results,.

Wow, some beautiful designs and lovely choice of colours.

Caterpillars and Easter Baskets

Every year groups from across Bristol get together for a day of fun and games, followed by dancing to with live music provided by some of our older teenagers. Each group also prepares a short performance for everyone, so this year we had a go at making some shadow puppets.

We read the story of the very hungry caterpillar, and everyone decided which puppets they wanted to make and set to work.  They turned out really well, and the children had great fun performing thier show.

 With the Easter holidays approaching we though we'd try our hand at some basket weaving, the children worked really hard on their baskets and I think the results are lovely. I love all the bright spring colours.