We had a busy half term… so busy that I didn’t get to take photos of all our activities. We had a great session at the Quarries where there were 16 children. A walk through the native forest, some tree ID, a game of camouflage, making fires and bows and arrows.
Killinchy After School Club
We did a really fun exciting time with the Killinchy After School club with 24 children! We had fire and cooking, bows and arrows and shelter making. We hope to be back.
One of the delights of working the way we do is that we allow the children to determine the activity. Of course we make suggestions, some quite strongly, but mostly we are able to draw them in. So this week, quite a few wanted to work with knives. The children here are 7 and 8 years old. Children are able to work with knives from this age onwards.
The weather in Ireland isn’t as bad as people make it out to be! Here we are enjoying the early February sunshine! It was cold but so beautiful!
Many of our students are able to relax into the gorgeous surroundings and eventually become children of the forest. After a few months students are able to become so at home with their surroundings that it is like second nature to them.
Here we are at the Quarries… it was a cooler day but no less lovely. Again, knife work!
A lovelier location does not exist really.
Deep play is a state which all children and adults who are working at their best are able to achieve. This happens when you are so engrossed in an activity that time suddenly stands still.
You can see this with very young children when they play and older children when they are using their imagination to world build. We see this in Elements Forest School.
Being managed from pillar to post is something which our children are now very used to. They arrive at an activity and they are now used to being told what to do. This is fine… up to a point. But they must also be given space to breathe. Space to dream. Space to get bored. Space to be themselves. To have down time, as it were.
In Elements we blend the two based on the what the children tell us. Well, not tell TELL us, but we ‘read the room’ – or in this case, the Forest.
The Forest really is the star of the show. After that it is children. Then it is us. As a Steiner educator, and as a team that comes from that background or works intuitively with these principles, seeing where the children are is more important than trying to cram them with activities. The children will learn eventually – but most often the first step is just watching you and being at home in nature.
This is where Deep Play comes in. Deep Play is relaxing, it is freedom, it is delight, it is engaging with the best parts of yourself. It lowers the stress levels, it boosts immune levels, it allays anxiety, it helps ANYONE the opportunity to reconnect with meaning.
At Elements Forest and Garden School this is our top priority. And we believe it can be best – if not only – done in nature. Touching, feeling and discovering the natural environment is healing. Trees give off chemicals which are literally relaxing. Soil is full of bacteria which makes you happy. The air is cleaner in the forest which helps boost your oxygen levels. It is literally ALL GOOD.
Add to that the magic of the elements and you have some very happy children.
If you are interested in signing your child up or having elements are your school or working with your after school, let us know by contacting us on 07540075991 or emailing hello@elementsschool.net
I know that spring does not begin until March apparently, but as far as I’m concerned it starts on 1 Feb – the quarter day marked in Ireland by Brigid’s.
There was a real sense that the children who came back just wanted to be with the forest and the forest wanted to be with them, so we decided to keep the sessions loose.
Here are some pictures from the two session this week – which is not to say they did not have a ball!
There are no more spaces in the Steiner School but there are spaces in the Quarries which is a magical place! Especially in that sunset. Call/WhatsApp/Text 07540075991 OR email hello@elementsschool.net OR fill in this form to register.
To boost our numbers at the Quarries, we have decided that if two people come along for a session in February, it will be at half price – that’s £15 for two children – that is pretty cool!
In Elements, we believe in a complete respect for life. This also includes the life of animals which sustain us. Part of this respect is learning to appreciate how we prepare food – fish does not come frozen and battered.
Matthew brought a fish he caught and the children were able to have a look at the fish and watch it being prepared.
After that we cooked the fish and enjoyed the fresh subtle taste!
This was done as part of our past Forest School session at the Quarries. It was certainly a November evening not to be forgotten!
To find out more about our sessions here, contact us on hello@elementsschool.net or text/WhatsApp/phone us on 07540075991. You can also fill in this form to join our Quarries Sessions. They are every Tuesday from 3.30 – 5.30 pm.
The half price does not apply to the half term session on 15 Feb. Many thanks
As the years pass, and despite the pandemic, Elements has seen more 100 children take part in our Forest School sessions and other activities.
Our mission is to enable children to experience and get to know the world around them, and in our many activities to gain confidence, develop their sense of confidence and sensory experiences, as well as enjoy all of the seasons around them.
At the Holywood Steiner School, we are able to cook outdoors, explore the beautiful forest they have and put on a series of educational and fun activities.
Children are able to play on their own or join in activities. It makes for a truly rich and in depth outdoor experience.
Our classes in Holywood are now full and bookings will reopen in the Summer term.
Check out what we have on this year!
Forest School
Holywood Steiner School
Forest School has started again. We are now full for the Holywood Steiner School! We have our full quota and class is closed!
The Quarries, Bangor
We are starting up again at The Quarries in Bangor. Located at 402 Gransha Road it is a beautiful traditional Ulster farm which has been sensitively managed by Joan Woods and Tina Kersting.
It is teeming with wildlife and is blessed with two forests – one more recently planted native woodland and a 200 year old forest which surrounds the Quarry.
We have looked for frogs, found a fallen buzzard, collected tinder from birch and found millions of mushrooms. Tales were told by the fires in winter and more discoveries will be made over the coming spring and summer.
If you are interested in joining, sessions are held on Tuesdays, from 3.30 – 5.30 pm. Each session costs £15.
Get in touch by filling in this form or contacting us at 07540075991. For the month of February we are offering half price for one session two or more new sign ups!
Arts and Crafts Sessions
We are delighted to continue to offer our wonderful craft sessions this year.
From Fleece to Fabric: The Hidden Magic of Wool and Coppersmithing with Lake and Oak will be running at the Holywood Steiner School.
Fleece to Fabric: 5, 12 and 19 Feb
Coppersmithing: 19 and 26 Mar
For both activities start at age 12+ years. Click onto the links to find out more about each course.
Here are some highlights.
Fleece to Fabric
These pictures do not do the sessions justice. What takes place is nothing short of a review of the entirety of our development as human beings and the important wool and other fibres have played in our lives. From the story of Theseus and the Minotaur to the Wool Guilds of Florence to the songs of the women of the Shetlands, the course is a tour de force in Emma’s skill as a textile creative.
If you are interested in this course click on this link for a full description and to book.
Coppersmithing
Like wool, our relationship with copper is also ancient. A soft metal that can be worked easily it is also warm, bright and gorgeous. Spend the day creating something with will literally last forever.
If you are interested in this course click on this link for a full description and to book.
Sign up for the following activities:
Fabulous Fungi Drawing with Gabriel Knight
We will be making bread, telling stories, wandering through the wood and learning about the beautiful time of the year.
Costume Making with Emma Foley
Pass between worlds
The shadows are getting longer and deeper. The new cycle is ready to begin. How do you wish to step out of the past and into the next year? Or, in other words…
It’s Halloween, what are you going as?
On October 31st, come into the dusk of Samhain in this rewarding workshop using natural traditional materials and methods to make your choice of a beautiful mask, wreath, or charm.
Your safety may depend on it!
Our handwork on the day will be accompanied by a constructive, and exciting exploration of ideas relating to costume, disguise, tradition, shadow-self, story, spirit-appeasement, folk art, and a look at the cultural balance between the profane and the sacred.
You will leave prepared for whatever comes at you on Halloween night.
Well, hopefully…..
Workshop from 1pm to 4pm.
There will be a opportunity to relax post workshop for 30 to 40 minutes around the fire after we finish work.
There will be a short break from 2:20 to 2:40. Seasonal refreshments will be provided.
All required tools and materials will be provided for you but please feel free to bring along anything you would like to use.
[Provided: Mixed fabrics, hessian, wool, leather, felt, crystal, ribbon, fruitwoods, shells, nuts, husks, wire, twine, dried herbs and flowers]
Please notify me of any allergies before the event.
Looking forward to welcoming you.
All pictures by Caron Ang
Our first copper smithing session was a blast, no pun intended. Let the pictures speak for themselves…
The nice thing about all of our activities is that you leave feeling that you have accomplished something you thought that you could never do.
If you would like to sign up for this coming Saturday – 2 October fill in this form! Or email hello@elementsschool.net. Come along and surprise yourself!
Elements is one year old! that anniversary passed by pretty much unnoticed because we have been so busy… here is what we have been up to then in Insta images…
We have just restarted this. To book go to this form! Or email hello@elementsschool.net.
Finally the BEST THING EVER!!! Our Craft Programme!!!
Go to these various pages to book.
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