Life and Learning at Mr Noah’s

Often the children have enjoyed the parables of the lost sheep, the lost silver and the lost son. This time the story was our very own.

We only became aware of the one-day saga when, on Monday morning, we discovered our two rabbits’ disappearance from their secure run. The chances of recovering them seemed poor. They would have been prey to any night predator.

Their absence was mysterious in that there was no obvious route of escape. We carefully examined the condition of their run and the floor beneath the straw. Then we realised that the guinea pig had gone from her separate hutch, as well. The bunnies had not ‘made a break for freedom’. It seemed that they had been taken. To add to the evidence, a cage used for transport was missing also.

The Sunday evening, the creatures had been fed at about 7 pm. The site had been locked and left for the night. By the morning, the animal food had hardly been touched. We concluded that a theft had been committed shortly after locking up. What we did not know at the time was that on Sunday evening, the animals had been found huddled together in the cage, and they had been taken home to keep them safe.

Once we had discovered the disappearance of our pets, Facebook posts were shared and seen by thousands. By the afternoon, information had been received through Facebook and telephone. Less than twenty-four hours after they had been taken, the rabbits and guinea pig were returned to us. Clearly, they were shaken but safely home again.

This modern-day miracle seemed too good to be true. The lost was found. Grief was turned to rejoicing, and tears to laughter. We were so grateful to everyone for support and encouragement, and to those who restored to us the creatures.

The Easter bunny will take on new significance from this year onwards. Here is a present parable of resurrection: the lost, found, and that mourned as dead, alive again.

For a week, no car travelled the track; no child’s cry of despair or delight was heard. Everything lay in silence broken only by the sound of the birds singing and rabbits scuffling on the white carpet.

In over 25 years in Iden Green, there was only one day of closure. This year we have lost a week due to hazardous road conditions and obstacles to accessing the site.

Doubtlessly, children and staff will return with renewed enthusiasm after the extended half-term break.

An unexpected fall of snow in the night made for a very different experience for everyone.

We started the day by finding tracks in the snow made by birds and animals.

Then we followed the route of water (from melting snow) being diverted from the plat to the woods where waterfalls thundered.

Then a warming fire with melting marshmallows went down so very well.

Children were keen to help to prepare a display of poppies for the act of remembrance on 11th November.

Using scissors, glue sticks and paint was a valuable exercise in basic skills.

Then, a little earlier than 11 o’clock, they gathered around the display for an explanation. Of course, they cannot understand much of what it is about, but they can begin to form impressions that they will carry with them to a later stage when they can grasp the meaning of the annual commemoration.

The seriousness with which the occasion was greeted by little ones was impressive. And, of course, they could see that cutting and pasting can be useful and purposeful.