Life and Learning at Mr Noah’s

In our second year at Tarly Pit, it seemed as if we had sorted many of the teething troubles and had taken off. Of course, we benefited from the country having come through Covid. And so we were able to put on sports day and the end of school year celebration with a graduation ceremony.

Parents mounted a fundraiser which generaated enough for the purchase of four super wheelbarrows.

As ever, children were rising to the physical challenges of over, under and through.

Crops were ripe for harvesting. Garlic and onions were lifted, and tomatoes ripened faster than in years.

There was evidence of children’s enthusiasm for literacy, including what might be labelled graffiti.

But eventually, it was time for just one more hug before farewell for the last time.

Now the silence until September when everything begins again.

We were all prepared for sports day a few weeks ago. Then the threatening clouds began to gather, and we knew we would have to postpone the event.

The intended seed exchange table evolved into a fundraising plant sale, which has proved popular and successful.

The white lines had been washed away and had to be repainted. It is an expensive business at half an hour for each line,

Now we are back on track (if you can forgive the pun) and almost ready for the second attempt at the sports event.

Conclusion

It is evening before the sports and we are set to go.

On the evening of Thursday 24th March, we welcomed parents to a consultation evening at Tarly Pit. For eighteen months, the pandemic prevented us from having these trembly events. The November meeting was held at the Iden Green Pavilion because of inclement weather.

This was the first opportunity for some to enter the plat and see inside the yurt. It was encouraging to have 65% of our parents involved in the process.

In February 2021, we were closed for a week by snow that lay thick for seven days. This year, in the same month, named storms have been the issue. The snow looked lovely; wind just causes damage and work to be done. It is also potentially dangerous for children who would normally be on site.

A wind chime has been torn from the tree and left in pieces. The parachute had already been compromised by storms a year ago and arson last summer; now it is shredded. The canopy over the kitchen window is waiting to be put back when winds subside. The security camera must be repaired. The greenhouse needs restoration after nine large sheets of glazing were thrust from the frames. A water tank blew off its foundation and has been secured against further wind assault. And so the list goes on.

These and other casualties are small issues. What we cannot repair overnight is the damage to trees. The full extent is yet to be assessed. Happily, closure has been for but one day this time.

A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance.

A select congregation attended the burial of Bella, the chicken. Bella had laid every day for nine months of the year, almost all her life. Tired out, she died two weeks after laying her last egg.

What had happened and what we were going to do was carefully explained to the children. They were asked if they wanted to participate.

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The perfect white-feathered hen was placed in a cardboard coffin, a grave was dug, and then Bella was gently buried.