Form 1 had a fabulous day out visiting Kew Gardens yesterday. The sun glinted across the frosty grass as we took in the sights of the lake and glass houses. Our Rainforest and Habitat workshops, ably led by Stuart and Jill and tailored to our exact specifications, led us to examine the differences between our temperate climate and that of the tropical rainforest. We then explored the delights of the Palm house and were able to see first hand papaya trees, rubber plants, epiphytes, bromeliads, not to mention the ‘smelly-foot’ plant!
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After lunch (and a chance to let off steam in the adventure playground), we headed to the Orchid Festival – which was stunning. Orchids of every size and vibrant colour adorned the glass house on arches, pedestals and stairways. But perhaps the highlight for the children was the Pitcher plants – which they had studied as part of plant adaptation and into which they stuck their noses, to see whether it really was true that flies and insects befall their fate. And it was.
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Some of us were lucky enough to see a chameleon posing in the middle of the path – he looked like a model – until he blinked! Poison dart frogs and piranhas were also on view (behind glass!).
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What a brilliant day – and what a huge amount the children saw – and will remember. A real highlight of the year so far.
