PUPILS AND staff at Canon Pyon CE Academy enjoy nothing more than when the whole school comes together which it did for World Book Day and Sport Relief.

Before World Book Day the children were set a challenge to create a new superhero at home with their parents.

Imaginations soared as they created their own names, superpowers, costumes and much more.

Then on World Book Day the children (and teachers) came into school dressed as their superhero. From Plaster Master, who was covered in plasters to help heal the world’s problems to Shark Boy who prevented oil slicks.

With all the amazing ideas the children then produced an interesting character description. Great fun was had by all which produced great writing.

Pupilsstill had enough energy left to try and raise money for Sport Relief as they spent an entire morning doing aerobics.

The staff then led different routines to raise heart rates and test even the most coordinated athlete! Everyone had a determined attitude to continue all morning and felt extremely proud when we realised we had raised over £600.

Dirty hands and Smiling faces

For a number of years Canon Pyon CE Academy has been fortunate to have the use of nearby woodland which allows the school to take full advantage of developing its forest school. And it was now time as a parent to dig out the wellies and witness first hand this hidden gem.

But if the idea of sitting on an improvised bench with a hot drink whilst observing the afternoon activities was what came to mind - that was a mistake.

It soon became apparent that year five had spent a considerable time and effort planning and constructing a series of physical activities among their organic surroundings, using only what they could find, limited materials and considerable teamwork. Each group clearly explained their challenge which would test all manners of skill, agility and for a minority, a little healthy competition.

The next task was to make faces on trees using only mud and fauna. With dirty hands and smiling faces there was a great display of creativity. Berries, twigs, leaves and mud, the basic ingredients resulting in fun, laughter and an abundance of imagination.

It was refreshing to see that these simple pleasures can still be achieved, despite the modern trends of today.

As the lesson came to a close and the group walked through the apple orchard on the return to school, there was cause to reflect on, not just how fortunate the school is to have such a facility and the opportunities that it has to offer, but also the respect the children demonstrated for this environment.