Year 7 geographers head to Kew

As part of their Ecosystems topic in Geography, where the pupils have been exploring the biomes of Australia and the wilderness of Patagonia, we took Year 7 to Kew Gardens. It was great timing to coincide with Science Week, and we were fortunate to be able to bring several Science teachers with us! During the day, pupils discovered the amazing uses of plants from around the world and saw their unusual adaptations first-hand. A highlight of the day was the photograph competition. Winners will be announced very soon, but the initial entries coming in are fantastic! Here are some of the pupil’s lovely diary entries from the day:

Dear Diary,

Today I went to Kew Gardens, and it was an awe-inspiring experience. The temperate rainforest biome fascinated me with its towering trees and vibrant flowers, while the other greenhouses were quite humid with overhanging leaves and branches. The Palm House, which was my favourite glasshouse, showcased exotic plants and palm trees. I also found it quite interesting how the leaves on the different trees in the biome differed in size and colour. Another thing I enjoyed in The Palm House was the balcony, where you could see a full view of the biome from overhead. Today, I was really fascinated by all the different biomes in Kew Gardens, and I definitely learnt a lot more facts about the biomes and seeing it visually was definitely enjoyable. Bye diary.
-Ehi

Dear Diary,

Today we went to Kew Gardens and it was really fun. We learnt new facts and saw amazing greenery and wildlife. We enjoyed the displays, looking around in the greenhouses and taking lots of photos! My favourite greenhouse was the Princess of Wales Conservatory, which, upon entering, had lots of fascinating types of cacti. Through some glass doors there was what looked like a tropical rainforest and had a few different flowers. There was also a lily pond that had some lilypads floating on it and reflected all the wildlife around it. Down some steps were a few interesting glass holes and displays with plants and even fish in them! I really enjoyed my day and loved every minute of it.
-Diya

Dear Diary,

I’m living in the world of Jack and the Beanstalk, in real life! Here’s a fill-in on Kew Gardens. The cold fir trees rustled in the wind that harshly bit our cold faces. Flowers of all the colours of the rainbow were the centre of attention. Each building was beautifully designed, the glass structures each held special valuables everyone enjoyed, although very humid inside. I loved the cacti because they were every shade of green and more attractive as I had never seen anything like it. I could never pronounce any of the names. This sight couldn’t compare to the treetop, though. The stairs were hard work, but it was worth it when we faced the jaw-dropping views.

A great end to the amazing trip.
-Faith

Dear Diary,

Today I had a great day at Kew Gardens. Once I arrived on the bus, I got into my form group and we set off. When we were walking I spotted lots of very loud geese and plenty of glasshouses. My favourite glasshouse we went into was the Palm House as when I went in it was very hot and it made my skin tingle and made it really smooth. My favourite flower throughout the whole trip was 100% the Tristagma uniflorum. If I were to bring my family, next time, I would take them to the glasshouse with all the different shaped and sized cacti because I think they would love reading about all the cacti. I had such a great day, but it’s getting late, so I must get some rest.

Write tomorrow, I promise.

Dear Diary

Today was a very exciting day. I went to Kew Gardens. We went into lots of glasshouses and in there we explored different biomes and environments. All the glasshouses had different plant and temperatures some also had animals. My favourite place was the tree top walkway, I found it amazing to see all the views from above as it’s not every day that you get to do that. Overall I had an amazing experience and I wanted to thank my friends and teachers for making this trip possible and so amazing.
-Wren

Dear Diary

Today was a very exciting day. I went to Kew Gardens. We went into lots of glasshouses and in there we explored different biomes and environments. All the glasshouses had different plant and temperatures some also had animals. My favourite place was the tree top walkway, I found it amazing to see all the views from above as it’s not every day that you get to do that. Overall I had an amazing experience and I wanted to thank my friends and teachers for making this trip possible and so amazing.
-Zaynab

Dear Diary

Today marked our much-anticipated Year 7 trip to Kew Gardens, and what an adventure it turned out to be! From the moment we boarded the bus, excitement filled the air as we eagerly anticipated the day ahead.

As we arrived at Kew Gardens and stepped off the bus, the sheer size and beauty of the place took our breath away. It was as if we had entered a magical realm, far removed from the confines of our school grounds. The vibrant colours of the flowers, the towering trees, and the lush greenery seemed to beckon us to explore every nook and cranny.

Our first stop was the Palm House, a towering glass structure housing a myriad of tropical plants. Stepping inside felt like stepping into a different world. The air was warm and humid, and exotic plants surrounded us on all sides. It was fascinating to learn about the different species and their unique adaptations to survive in such environments.

Next on our itinerary was the Waterlily House, where we were greeted by the serene sight of delicate lily pads floating on tranquil pools. We marvelled at the vibrant colours of the water lilies and learned about their importance in aquatic ecosystems. Some of us even tried our hand at sketching the beautiful flowers, capturing their intricate details on paper.

One of the highlights of the day was the treetop walkway, a thrilling adventure high above the ground. We eagerly climbed the stairs to the top and walked along the suspended bridge, feeling like explorers in a dense jungle canopy. The views from above were simply breathtaking, and we couldn’t resist snapping countless photos to remember the moment.

Throughout the day, we were accompanied by the cheerful chatter of our classmates and the laughter that echoed through the gardens. We explored every corner, from the aromatic herb garden to the sprawling Arboretum, soaking in the beauty of nature with each step.

As the day drew to a close and we reluctantly made our way back to the bus, we were filled with a sense of gratitude for the opportunity to experience such natural splendour. Kew Gardens sparked our curiosity, ignited our imaginations, and left an indelible mark on our young minds. It was a trip we would cherish for years to come, a day filled with laughter, learning, and unforgettable memories.
-Olivia