Silvermist Academy

This week at The Little Farm School
we have been enjoying the season’s yields, some from our own beds and some from the generous work of others in our community.
The children enjoyed harvesting the abundance of parsley they planted last term. There was chopping, tasting and proudly sharing their own handmade “green sauce”.

Thank you for supporting your little entrepreneurs.

On Wednesday we ventured up to the vegetable garden and had the chance to harvest the biggest carrots most of us have ever seen 🤩 There were mighty muscles needed to pull them from the earth, squeal’s of delight, some good scrubbing and then munching away 🥕

This experience gave us a chance to consider how a carrot comes to be. Sitting together, the children took turns to give thanks……to the people who planted the seeds, who spent a year making the compost, and those who tended to the ground with care, (not forgetting the hardworking earthworm) to the sun for the warmth and light, the earth and soil, and the air and rain.
It is a wonderful reminder of the time, patience and energy it takes for our food to reach our tables. Moments like this help root gratitude and connection in our daily lives 💚

Wishing you a weekend of simple pleasures and shared meals 🫜

Our kitchen is taking shape!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DYSrGGuDaKC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Nature’s pattern book is open when you stop to take a look 🌿🐌 From seashells and pinecones to curled up millipedes, spiral patterns are hidden all around us. The children used their natural surroundings and found objects as inspiration to create their own spiral art right here at The Little Farm School. #LittleFarmSchool #NatureArt #SpiralsInNature #OutdoorLearning #EarlyYears

Dear Families

It has been a full and busy week as we’ve welcomed new friends into our space and begun to get to know one another.
Every child settles in their own time, in their own way, and we always aim to hold space for each child to find their own rhythm, and we trust that process. It is something we will all experience as new children join us.

Thank you to the Moms (and Dad) who joined us yesterday morning. Your presence meant so much.
And thank you to the children for setting up the garden. It was lovely to witness the care, laughter and teamwork between them as they prepared for your visit.

Wishing a very Happy Mother’s Day to all who are celebrating on Sunday ❤️
We appreciate you, and we’re grateful for all that you do.

Most behaviour systems are built on control.

But behaviour is feedback.
It tells you:
▪️Who feels seen
▪️Who feels safe
▪️Who feels like they belong

At Silvermist, we don’t manage behaviour.
We design belonging.

That’s a very different job.

Dear Families

With Earth Day in our hearts, the children spent time exploring through stories, discussions, and hands on activities, all the ways we can care for planet Earth 🌏 the people, plants and animals 🦒🌳🪻

Through thoughtful conversation and purposeful actions, each child made a special pledge to help protect Earth. At Silvermist we believe even small changes can make a big difference
*Little Hands=Big Help*
Our little earth helpers set out on a farm clean up, collecting and recycling rubbish.

Together we celebrated the school’s birthday on Wednesday- a reminder of our common love and care for the natural world, that shows caring for Earth is a part of who we are today, and every day 💚💚

Dear Community

Term 2 has begun with new friends, gentle rhythms and soaking up the autumn sun ☀️ 🍂
We are happy to welcome back familiar faces and greet new friends this term.

On Wednesday 22 April we will be honouring *EARTH* *DAY* 🌎
and celebrating *Silvermist Academy* turning 3 💛 🎂
Throughout the week we will take time to notice how we care for Planet Earth, with our hands, our words and our choices🍃
Pop in to add your pledge to our EARTH PROMISE

💧 🌳 🌧️

"Young people should emerge from school being able to read and write, add and subtract, use computers and calculators, understand a map and the history of the country they live in, and have a good grasp of basic scientific processes and a foreign language.
Yet, in order to develop young people as creative problem solvers, education can no longer afford to rely so heavily on learning by routine.
Education needs to take young people wider, deeper and further, to give them experiences of what it is like to take action,
to make things, to serve the community, to work with others and to take on challenges that might once have daunted them…. "
Charles Leadbeater - The Problem Solvers💫

How do farmers know grapes are truly ready to be picked?

We learned that farmers don’t just look at the grapes — they test the pH of the fruit to understand its chemistry and how it will affect flavour and quality.
Harvesting was scheduled for Tuesday, but we heard that it was postponed so that the very hot weather these last couple of days, could impact the pH level.

Interestingly, we had previously learned about soil pH, so it was fascinating to see how chemistry shows up again inside the grape itself.

And then came the real learning… harvesting together in the vineyard.
Experiences like this remind us that learning is everywhere — in the soil, in the science of plants, and participating in the work people do every day.

Thank you to Silvermist Wine Estate for welcoming our young ones into the harvest and allowing them to have this experience.