THELASTWORD
APRIL ’ S GUEST COLUMNIST JAMES THOMAS , HEADMASTER OF SUTTON VALENCE SCHOOL , ON ...
THE IMPORTANCE OF NATURE AND OUTDOOR LEARNING
WITH OUR MULTITUDE OF DAFFODILS AND HELLEBORES NOW AN ONGOING FIXTURE , AND THE BULBS AROUND SITE BURSTING FORTH IN OUR EXTENSIVE GROUNDS AND GARDENS , SUTTON VALENCE SCHOOL IS SPRINGING INTO LIFE AS WE MOVE OUT OF OUR LENT TERM AND LOOK AHEAD TO THE FINAL TERM OF THE SCHOOL CALENDAR . SET IN THE STUNNING KENT LANDSCAPE SINCE 1576 , WITH PANORAMIC VIEWS OVER THE WEALD , WE AS A SCHOOL APPRECIATE OUR SURROUNDINGS , AND VALUE THE IMPORTANCE OF NATURE AND OUTDOOR LEARNING .
Our littlest learners , at Sutton Valence Prep School , have access to Forest School , which allows children to get their wellies on and enrich their understanding of the natural world by cooking on the fire , exploring the woodland area , and learning about bugs and local fauna . In the surrounding grounds , they can tend to the resident rabbits and guinea pigs in their Piggy Palace or help with growing fresh produce which forms part of their morning snacks . Children also have the opportunity to explore the Millennium Garden and play on the castle during those all-important break times . They ’ ll also be eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Easter bunny , who will be hiding treats as part of the annual Easter Egg hunt !
As the days lighten across the months ahead and warmer days hopefully make an appearance , our older students will also benefit from our outdoorsy settings , as they prepare for their many Duke Of Edinburgh expeditions , and our Combined Cadet Forces are a regular sight around the grounds , come rain or shine ! Routinely involved in exercises and drills around the site , our Army , RAF and Navy cadets also have access to their own shooting range , as well as being taken out on regular field days .
The spring season is also the time when our outdoor sporting facilities start coming into their own , with keen sporting stars of the future making use of the school ’ s outdoor nets for both boys ’ and girls ’ cricket , athletic tracks , playing fields and courts .
Our boarding students are ideally placed to best enjoy our beautiful grounds , with the school being a home away from home , although all students , parents and staff are able to appreciate the immaculately kept gardens , with the Headmaster ’ s Garden and Prefects ’ Lawn often being the location of numerous spring and summer events . Last summer , our green-fingered students even put together their own wellbeing garden as an entry into the Historic Houses England Tower of London ’ s Superbloom project ! Other activities involved in this project included pebble painting and poetry , inspired by horticulture . Wildflower seeds were also sown last summer to commemorate the Queen ’ s Jubilee , and we now enjoy the rewards of a previous House competition to plant daffodils in aid of Sepsis Research FEAT .
From the tiniest tots to sixth formers ready to head out into the world of work or further education , all of our pupils are encouraged to respect and enjoy our little piece of the heart of Kent . As the spring and summer school terms bring their own rhythm , so we try and keep in tune with the changes of the local landscape all around us .
For full details of life at Sutton Valence Senior and Prep Schools , whatever the season , please visit www . svs . org . uk or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ svs _ news .
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