Wildlife Watch: Dovecote School's Hidden Visitors Dovecote's outdoor spaces have been bustling with activity—not just during school hours, but throughout the night! A camera trap set up in the forest school area has given students and staff an unexpected glimpse into the nocturnal world of local wildlife. The footage captured regular visitors such as rabbits, badgers, and cats, along with surprises such as squirrels and a mystery bird puzzling even our keenest bird watchers. This follows Dovecote's participation in the RSPB Big School Bird Watch, which sparked students’ curiosity about the wildlife sharing their environment. The presence of badger setts in the forest school area inspired students to set up the camera, hoping to capture Every blessing, Rich Tweedy vicar@poldenwheel.co.uk Easter in a post-truth world 3 S PR I NG I S SUE APR I L 2 0 2 5 RICH TWEEDY The power of the Easter story lies in the Christian belief that it is historically true – and therefore, if you examine the historical and archaeological data about Jesus and his world, you will have more (not less) confidence in their veracity. In the gospels, Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection are not presented as emotionally-charged myths, but as historical events seen by eye-witnesses. The gospel writers are at pains to establish that what they are describing is objectively true. In the smoke-and-mirrors of a post-truth world, Jesus is obscured by the manipulative use of human emotion. Christians must be clear in their commitment to objective truth: because that’s the only way for the beauty of the Easter story to become clear. Easter events – Sunday 20 April, Easter Day 6.00am Sunrise Service RSPB HamWall 10.00am Cafe Church Shapwick Café church is also on May 18th and June 15th. One of the most toxic concepts in the western world today is the idea that we live in a ‘post-truth’ society. In other words, it doesn’t really matter whether something is true or not – merely how you respond to something on an emotional level. This is most obvious with politicians and their campaigns when they show a flagrant disregard for the factual accuracy of what they say. DAISY JOHN Dovecote School A Celebration of Reading and Well-being at Dovecote Children's Mental Health Week focused on the theme "My Voice Matters," encouraging students to explore well-being through creative activities from mindfulness exercises and emotion check-ins to a collaborative Mental Health Mural. Highlights included a puppet show workshop, a screening of Inside Out, graffiti art sessions, and physical well-being activities reinforcing the link between mental and physical health. World Book Day then immersed students and staff in the joy of literature. Activities included lesson swaps featuring Escape Room and Murder Mystery challenges, a Premier League Takeover Quiz, and a BBC Teach Live Lesson that even gave Dovecote a shoutout! These events provided fun and engaging experiences while reinforcing key messages about self-expression, well-being, and creativity. these elusive creatures. The results have exceeded expectations, revealing a thriving ecosystem under the cover of darkness. Encouraged by these findings, the school plans to move the camera to different areas around the grounds. Who knows what might be captured next? Stay tuned for more wildlife updates! We can look back with pride on our achievements this term. From exploring local wildlife to celebrating literature and championing mental well-being, Dovecote has been a hive of activity. Our students have shown curiosity, creativity, and compassion throughout, embracing opportunities to learn in new and exciting ways. We look forward to seeing what the next term will bring!
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