South County Limerick pupils thrive during forest school sessions

MARTINSTOWN National School was alive with excitement as Seedling Nature Schools delivered three days of Forest School sessions.

Over the course of the week, children engaged in a variety of hands-on outdoor activities including nature hunts, map making, clay creations, sawing and drilling elder branches, and the Japanese art of Tataki Zome, where flowers and leaves are gently hammered onto fabric to release their natural dyes.

The school already makes excellent use of its garden area, with every class enjoying weekly opportunities to plant, grow, and learn outdoors. However, the visit from Forest School educators Johanna and Claire opened up new ways of exploring nature and offered fresh opportunities for discovery and adventure.

Lisa Kirby, acting principal, commented: “It was a joy to see the children so immersed in nature – exploring, experimenting, and enjoying every moment.”

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“Outdoor learning like this, gives pupils the freedom to take risks in a safe way, builds resilience, and creates memories that last far beyond the classroom.

“The pupils were thrilled with the creations they produced. They proudly added their clay pieces to the school garden, leaving a lasting mark on the space, while many made bracelets and necklaces from the beads they had crafted – special keepsakes to share with friends and family. One senior infant pupil summed it up simply as “the best day ever!”