Visit to Garson’s Farm
Posted 22nd September 2011
Despite a drizzly morning, Ann Margaret House pupils and staff set off for Garson’s Farm in Esher on Wednesday 21st September, equipped with wellington boots and raincoats. By the time they arrived the rain had stopped and the sun was peeping out from behind the clouds.
First stop was the the apple trees where the children soon found lots of lovely red and green apples. Next they visited the strawberry fields and were amazed to see the bushes full with large, juicy strawberries, which were surprisingly sweet. By this time, the sun was blazing and the children’s bags were filling up. They then found the raspberry bushes. Ellie proved to be an expert raspberry picker, seeking out the ripest fruit, whilst Danny and Q’atada were unable to resist tasting a raspberry or two!
At lunchtime, the children enjoyed a picnic of sandwiches, crisps and yoghurt – sitting outside in the sunshine. After lunch, there was just enough time for a visit to the farm shop for ice creams before returning to school. On Friday the children will be using their fruit to make fruit tarts…and maybe an apple pie for Mr Hobbs!
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Summer Term 2011
Posted 21st July 2011
The Summer Term at Ann Margaret House was a busy one filled with exciting day trips that were carefully planned to help consolidate the topics the children have been learning about.
During the first half of term, AMH pupils visited Bockett’s Farm, Syon Park and Marwell Zoo as part of their ‘Animals’ theme.
At Bocketts Farm the children fed the animals, saw one-day old lambs and watched pig racing in the glorious sunshine before tiring themselves out on the play equipment and trampolines.
A visit to Syon Park Reptile House in May afforded the children the opportunity to handle a snake, a baby crocodile and a lizard, which some did with trepidation whilst others were keen to gain the ‘hands on’ experience! They also saw some huge pond fish as well as tropical fish and enjoyed a picnic lunch in the sunshine.
Despite the long journey, the trip to Marwell Zoo was well worth it. Once again the children enjoyed a picnic lunch and thoroughly enjoyed seeing baby giraffes, penguins and tigers up close.
The ‘Journeys and Transport’ theme for the second half of term provided the context for trips to Hampton Court, Valley Park and the Polka Theatre using the tram, bus, train and even travelling by boat from Hampton Court to Kingston.
At Hampton Court, the children and staff played ball games in the grounds, had a picnic lunch, sat on the banks of the Thames watching the ducks and geese, and enjoyed ice creams before travelling by boat back to Kingston where they caught a bus back to school.
Towards the end of June, the children and staff travelled by tram to and from Valley Park where they had burgers for lunch and enjoyed a game of ten pin bowling.
A highlight for the children was a bus trip to the Polka Theatre in Wimbledon for an autism friendly performance of ‘All Join In’ to celebrate the work of author Quentin Blake. This allowed our children to watch the show in a non-judgmental and relaxed environment, where they were accepted for who they are and not how they behave.
And finally, at the end of June, two of our pupils participated in the annual AMH field trip to the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Activity Centre in Hampshire where they spent two nights in a log cabin. During the trip, the children scaled a rock climbing wall, braved a zip wire, took aim in archery, went canoeing, took part in a ropes and tunnels course, and visited a farm! And as if that wasn’t enough, they were taken on long evening walks to tire them out! The weather was on our side, giving AMH a couple of bright and sunny days and both staff and children were well fed by Mr Hobbs, the Principal, who prepared and cooked some sumptuous evening meals.