Queensferry Oct, early November

Back from the October break, and back into the school grounds! Part of this years programme involves making and selling reindeer, made from recycled wood, to raise funds both for charity and for the Wellbeing Hub. We have been out scavenging in the woods around the school, and also a bit further afield to find suitable logs and branches to build with. The group are thoroughly enjoying learning new skills such as using different tools, cordless drills, knives and mallets to build the reindeer. To start with, they made a mallet themselves, cut from a pole and whittled down to give it a handle. This would come in handy for once the build started, and got them using the knives safely too. Once we got going, it was a case of rotating tasks to ensure everyone was learning the same skills and getting the same benefits. The reindeer have taken a knife of their own and are flying out of the doors of the Wellbeing Hub! Well, that is their job this time of year! All the wood we are using for bodies and heads is found in the woods. We have been lightly harvesting for the smaller sticks and twigs where needed, but predominantly we are using what we find. The group are enjoying learning new things and building with recycled materials. The response has been fantastic. We are selling them steadily in school and are also getting orders in from parents. It's a good feeling that so many people are supporting this and looking to have a little bit of the forest for their home.