Radnorshire FEI Cluster Group Meeting
Monday 28th January 2013
Cefnllys CP School, Llandrindod Wells
Minutes
1. Welcome, Introductions and Apologies:
Present:
Kate Jones
Colin Williams
Liz Dingle – Rhayader C in W School
Suzie Fraser – Radnorshire Wildlife Trust
Hannah Nottle – Llanelwedd C in W School
Tim Mann – Cefnllys CP School
Jenny Stevens – Beetles and Bees
Adam Shearman – Llanelwedd C in W School
Annie Thompson – Cefn Wood
Emma Metcalfe
Carol Travers – Forestry Commission Wales
Kate Jones – Forestry Commission Wales
Apologies:
David Davies – Builth Wells High School
Annual General Meeting
a. Chair’s report
Please find the chair’s report prepared by Kate attached.
b. Treasurer’s report
Liz reported that the cluster group has spent funds this year to deliver the Outdoor Learning Training Event and to fund members to attend the FEI National Networking Day and organise woodland Olympic events. The bank balance is £1100.
c. Election of officers
The following officers were elected for the coming year:
§ Chairperson – Colin Williams
§ Treasurer – Liz Dingle
§ Secretary – Kate Jones/Carol Travers
Main meeting
2. Matters arising from the last minutes:
There were no matters arising.
3. Finance update
It was agreed that Rhian Hill and Heather Smith will no longer be signatories for the cluster group bank account as it is difficult to get signatures from them when needed. Suzie and Adam will join Liz and Colin as signatories.
ACTION POINT: Liz to sort out forms needed
ACTION POINT: Kate to contact Rhian and Heather – done
The need to audit the cluster group’s accounts was discussed. There may be a generic form for cluster groups to use.
ACTION POINT: Kate to find out and let Liz know what is required
4. Forest School resource boxes:
The cluster group’s Forest School resource box is being borrowed by Cefnllys CP School who would like to keep it for longer.
The Forest School resource box made by Jenny Ogden and Bumble was taken to Builth Wells High School who would like to borrow it to fit into their PSE programme when the weather is better and when they have completed the current programmes of study. It is now at Newbridge-on-Wye CP School.
If any school would like to borrow a resource box please contact Kate (FC), Email or Tel 07768 457292.
Suzie and Colin have plans in place to make a ‘Life through a lens’ resource box for the cluster group, see attached flyer. Ideas for items to include are a microscope, Petri dishes, reference books and stories, bug pots, magnifying glasses and samples to observe e.g. an insect wing. The box will also include worksheets, word lists, lesson plans and activity sheets, which it was suggested could be on a CD. Schools who borrow the box will be encouraged to add items such as observational drawings and interesting items for others to observe. It was agreed that the cluster group will give £75 for Colin and Suzie to start compiling the box.
5. Radnorshire FEI cluster group signs
Adam has looked into purchasing Radnorshire FEI cluster group signs for member schools to display. Everyone liked the proofs which were shown to the group. They will be 40cm wide and cost £15-£20 each depending on the number ordered.
It was discussed that there might be changes to the FEI name or logo following Forestry Commission Wales soon becoming part of Natural Resources Wales, therefore it was decided to order five badges initially, which the cluster group will pay for. Our regular member schools, which are Rhayader C in W School, Llanelwedd C in W School and Cefnllys CP School, will each have a badge.
The badges will be printed with the FEI owl logo and the following text:
We are members of
Rydym yn aelodau o
Radnorshire Forest Education Initiative Cluster Group Maesyfed
www.foresteducation.org
ACTION POINT: Kate to check any issues with using FEI name/logo with FEI Co-ordinator – done, no issues
ACTION POINT: Adam to get quote and new proofs
ACTION POINT: Kate/Carol to send proofs to group to choose favourite design
6. Bring on the Bees project:
An outline for a project being organised by Jenny Stevens was circulated to members with the agenda and copies given out at the meeting, see attached. The project has been discussed at previous meetings but was not submitted to the FEI Partnership Fund as Jenny was unable to secure match funding. The FEI is now giving 100% funding for projects, therefore match funding is no longer required.
Jenny would now like to continue with the project, which Annie Thompson will help to deliver. Jenny has completed the application form in co-operation with the FEI co-ordinator and the project now meets all of the aims of the FEI.
The project was supported by the cluster group who agreed that it should be submitted to the FEI Partnership Funding round in February.
Many schools are already interested in taking part in the project but the cluster group agreed that our member schools, Rhayader C in W School, Llanelwedd C in W School and Cefnllys CP School, should have priority to ensure that cluster members benefit from the project. It was suggested that other schools wishing to take part should attend a cluster group meeting to register their interest and will hopefully become future members.
7. Springtime Outdoor Learning Event:
Following the success of the Outdoor Learning Training Event held by the cluster group in the autumn it was suggested at the last meeting to hold a similar event in the spring.
The event could possibly be held at Gilfach Nature Reserve where there is a hill climb, trails and a river. It was discussed whether the event could be for children as well as training for the teachers. The cluster group could pay for transport.
The FEI is offering a themed grant of £300 for woodland management or climate change themed activities. This could be used along with the small grant of £200 to run the event.
Hannah, Liz, Suzie and Colin will form a sub group to plan the event. They will meet on Monday 18th March, 4.15pm, at the Radnorshire Wildlife Trust Office in Llandrindod. Anyone who is interested and would like to help is welcome to join them!
ACTION POINT: Sub group to share plans at next cluster group meeting
8. Updates from those present:
Cefnllys CP School –
The school have been trying out activities from the cluster group’s resource box, they particularly liked the camouflage caterpillars activity. They are currently focusing on Eco Schools activities.
Llanelwedd C in W School –
The children are still doing ‘fresh air Friday’ every week when the whole school participates in outdoor activities.
The whole school will be participating in a tree planting day with the Forestry Commission at the Royal Welsh Showground. The school has received 60 free trees from the Woodland Trust. The Royal Welsh Showground Association is willing for the school to use woodland on the site for Forest School activities which is being arranged.
Rhayader C in W School –
The children have recently been on a trip to the Elan Valley where they enjoyed activities based on camouflage and also used a moth trap. Staff from Elan Valley also visited school to talk to the children about their Water Aid trip.
Other business:
Emma told the group about a potential site for Forest School activities on a farm near Talgarth. The site has a nature trail, good access and toilets.
Emma teaches creative writing and is able to deliver CPD training to help teachers develop pupils’ literacy skills. She is able to deliver a session at the Outdoor Learning Event being planned.
9. Local and National updates:
Forest Education Initiative (FEI) –
Plans are underway to organise the National Networking Day which is provisionally being held in Mid Wales in October. The event will have a seed to saw focus and it is hoped that site visits to forests and a saw mill will be included.
FEI Wales now publishes a bulletin on the FEI website www.foresteducation.org at the start of every month, which members are notified about by email. If you do not receive this please contact .
Due to the FEI now giving 100% funding for projects there has been much increased interest in the February funding round and a number of projects have been submitted so far. There will be more information about the successful projects in future FEI bulletins.
Information about FEI projects and free resources are also available on the FEI website www.foresteducation.org.
Forest School (FS) –
Forestry Commission Wales is running a level three Forest School practitioner training course at Gregynog Hall near Newtown, starting on Monday 25th February 2013. Places are still available and must be booked before Friday 8th February. Please contact Carol Travers, Forest School co-ordinator, email or telephone 0300 068 0300.
Over the next two years a programme of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training will be deliveredby Forest School Wales for all those interested in Forest School. Each day costs only £15 for FSW members or £30 for non-members. For further information please see this flyer. Booking forms can be found on the FSW website or contact Barbara Haddrill, telephone 0845 456 0342 or email . One free place will be offered on each course for an FEI member or local volunteer who will help on the day (plus expenses), please contact FSW for more information.
Forestry Commission Wales (FCW) -
Leigh Denyer is the local Education Officer for the area who can organise free educational woodland visits for schools and groups, email or telephone 07789 654454.
From 1st April 2013, Natural Resources Wales will take over the functions currently carried out by the Countryside Council for Wales, Environment Agency Wales and Forestry Commission Wales. The Forest Education Initiative will continue to be facilitated by Natural Resources Wales. There are no immediate plans for change.
The Woodlands for Learning Team are delivering a number of ESDGC Training Events across Wales during March 2013. The events will introduce an engaging new way to teach areas of the ESDGC curriculum through practical, hands-on activities delivered in the outdoors. Areas covered will include how trees grow, why trees are important and how they help tackle climate change. To book a place or for more information please see the flyer or contact Cathy Velmans, telephone 0300 068 0300 or email
Kate (FC) is starting maternity leave on Friday 15th March. Carol Travers will take over as secretary of the cluster group, or telephone 07771 810287.
10. Date and venue of next meetings:
Outdoor Learning Event sub group meeting -
Monday 18th March, 4.15pm, Radnorshire Wildlife Trust Office, Llandrindod
Cluster group meeting –
Monday 22nd April, 4.15pm, Llanelwedd C in W School