There was significant work carried out in the garden in the summer which has improved the facilities for the children. A big thank you goes to the PTFA for funding these improvements. 

• The old polytunnel was replaced and we now have a shiny new one in it's place. Without holes it will be warmer for the seedlings in the spring and it will be great to have somewhere dry to work on rainy gardening days.
• The pond has been relined (and a rotten plank replaced) so there is always ample water in it now. The classes have found insects but no newts in the new pond, but some newts have been spotted around school in the undergrowth and we look forward to finding them back in the pond when they return in the spring. Some eagle-eyed children in 4P did spot a well camouflaged frog in there in September. 
• The chicken area has been made fox proof and we await new chicks in the spring. 

In terms of planting and growing we've had a good end of summer harvest in the garden. 

• The corn grew brilliantly over the summer and the classes enjoyed harvesting and tasting it very fresh. We will likely grow more this coming year so that more year groups get to enjoy the harvest. 
• Vegetables in the gourd family - pumpkins, butternut squash and courgettes - have grown nicely over the summer and some of the courgettes have ended up on the Friday bake sale as courgette muffins.
• Some of the Maris Peer potatoes that were planted before the summer are now ready to be dug up and harvested (always an exciting gardening job). Hopefully you will see some on the Friday bake sale or in your year 2 child's school bag soon.