What an exciting time it was mid-September for pupils in 4X and 4Y when they were invited out for the day with Mrs Gill Oliver, regional organiser of The Country Trust, and her team of merry mums, Mrs Smith and Mrs Lynch. The Country Trust is a
national educational charity providing a taste of the countryside first hand for children from urban environments. Its work is especially beneficial to youngsters who may never experience muddy fields and the smells of a farmyard. With many children on previous trips thinking that wolves and bears still roam the British countryside with crocodiles in our lakes, the children from Twycross clearly made a memorable impression with their knowledge and understanding of how our green and very pleasant land is managed and conserved.

Accompanied by Mrs Rose and Mrs Holland our adventure began with a minibus trip to Atherstone for a ‘walk and talk’ along the canal with the head lock-keeper Tony; quite a celebrity after receiving an M.B.E for his services to the waterways. With a penchant for ferrets he delighted us all and was a very entertaining educator.
A visit to Merevale Hall followed, where we were treated to a gundog display and a guided tour of the local plantation by the head forester.

The weather was kind to us and we all returned to school with happy faces, clean wellies, empty lunch boxes and with a special request from many for an extra surprise in our Christmas stockings…..a chocolate Labrador or perhaps a well-fed ferret! ?

Once again the ingenuity and creative talents of the children, mums and dads in Year 4, using natural and man-made materials, amazed and thrilled all who came along to view. This year the rain stayed away which allowed all the classes to enjoy the marvellous spectacle of the miniature masterpieces displayed under the gazebo in the Swallows Hill garden.

Mr Redford acted as chief judge, ably assisted by the new pupils from Year 3.  All the children received certificates for their efforts but the overall winners who were presented with new books in assembly were Mimi Henry (The Snail House); Richard Wilkinson (The Secrets of Vesuvius); Alexander Headington (Billy Goat Gruff); Athena Stamper (Treasure Island).  This garden was voted for by all the pupils and was a popular winner as the "children's choice".  The "best in show" this year was Billy Goat Gruff.

At 2pm on Tuesday 3rd July the pond fountain sprang to life using solar power, first with a dirty trickle then to a full fountain spray – and this was even before the sun was fully out.  The environmental group are very grateful to Eco-schools for funding the project; this comprised two solar pumps and a 65 kw PV solar panel, erected skilfully by Mr Edwards high above the hedge at the back of the pond.   One pump is currently being used as a fountain in order to improve the water quality and the other will create a waterfall between the upper and lower ponds when the lower one is sealed.  This will remain an ongoing project and the solar panel will provide curriculum opportunities in the future.

This year the area round the pond has been left to grow naturally and a good array of wild flowers have emerged, so pupils who worked on the area last year and this year have been rewarded for their efforts.  I hope that in the future pupils will continue to be willing to maintain the pond area. As a result of the work by pupils Twycross House School has now been awarded the Eco Schools Silver Award. Well done to all concerned.