On a bright and early Tuesday morning, the Year 3 students were brimming with excitement as they boarded the bus to Perlethorpe in Newark. Despite the early start, their enthusiasm was palpable—they couldn't wait to explore the river!

Upon arrival, the children immediately noticed the serene atmosphere. The river, nestled within a working farm, exuded tranquillity. We were greeted by our leader for the day, who outlined the day's activities and emphasised crucial river safety tips, which the children attentively absorbed.

Our first destination was, naturally, the river! Each child took turns wading into the water, armed with nets to search for river wildlife. Using our river habitat identifier sheets, we eagerly examined our finds. Among the discoveries were freshwater shrimp and various other fascinating creatures. After observing them, we gently returned the wildlife to their natural habitat. Some of us got a bit wet, but it didn't dampen our spirits—we had plenty of fun (and spare clothes!).

Following our river adventure, we enjoyed a lunch break before embarking on an orienteering exercise. In adult-led groups, we learnt to use maps to locate clues scattered around the site, each related to river features. With each clue solved, we received another map, guiding us closer to the final solution. I was impressed by the children's ability to apply their knowledge and work collaboratively, showcasing excellent teamwork.

As the trip drew to a close, we took time to appreciate the woodlands and created river-themed artwork using natural materials found around us. Logs represented meanders, pinecones depicted rapids, and weeds formed floodplains.

The children's behaviour throughout the trip was exemplary—they were a joy to be with! I'm confident they will cherish their river topic memories from primary school.

A special thank you to our parent helper!

Please see below for pictures!