Year 2 - Trip to the Wetland Centre

On Wednesday 16th July, Year 2 visited the London Wetland Centre, a place where the landscape rewards those who take their time to explore and investigate. Among the marsh land, reeds and shallow pools, the Year 2 children followed paths littered with protected micro habitats.

The children were guided by Ava’s story, introduced in the classroom and brought to life by the 'Guardians of Nature', through quiet listening posts around the wetlands. During the workshop,  the children moved from station to station, piecing together her journey through sound. Ava didn’t tell them everything. She left just enough for them to notice what had always been there.

As the children wandered further around the protected habitats, they were drawn to a quiet cluster of branches where the Magpie Geese were nesting. Rufael from Buttercup class pointed out how still they sat, calm, watchful, tucked in amongst the safety of the reeds.

In a nearby area of water, the children were amused to watch new ducklings paddling restlessly in circles, darting, turning, trailing behind one another. Their movement was joyful for all to watch.

Later, as the children gathered by the otter enclosure, Honey and Todd surfaced in tandem for feeding. The children watched the pair move through the water, not competing, not hurrying. It was fascinating to watch the rhythm in how they responded to each other’s pace, each turn and glance carried out with confident certainty.

Thank you to Miss Steadman, the Science Lead for organising such a deeply memorable experience for both the children and adults!'