Year One’s Graduation Trip to Qing Sheng Farm

Rikki Elks

Year 1 Teacher / Coding Champion

Adding to the significance of the day, this trip also served as a graduation celebration, honouring the children’s growth and readiness to move forward in their educational journey. Unlike the last outing, this experience was made even more memorable as each child was accompanied by at least one parent or carer, turning it into both a family adventure and a learning experience.

The day began with a traditional Chinese graduation ceremony, filled with meaningful rituals. The children proudly wore traditional hats and practised writing special Chinese characters, symbolising wisdom and progress. In a touching moment, each child presented their parent with an apple, representing gratitude and good fortune. Finally, they banged a drum three times, signifying their excitement for the next stage of their learning journey. These rituals reinforced the importance of education while celebrating the children’s achievements.

After the ceremony, the children boarded a miniature train that took them to the rice fields. With their parents’ help, they waded into the soggy mud to plant rice seedlings. Laughter filled the air as both children and adults struggled to walk through the sticky mud—many got hilariously stuck and needed assistance to return to dry land! This hands-on activity taught them about rice cultivation while creating unforgettable bonding moments.

Once everyone had rinsed off in the nearby stream and changed out of their muddy waterproofs, it was time for a celebratory feast. Buggies transported the group to a large campsite , which included many tents and a large pond. Families enjoyed delicious BBQ food, while the children explored the area, catching pollywogs (tadpoles) in the pond and centipedes in the soil—an exciting way to connect with nature.

The final stop was the farm’s greenhouses, brimming with freshly grown vegetables. Each child had the chance to pick their bunch to take home, reinforcing lessons about where food comes from and the importance of farming. By planting rice in the morning and harvesting vegetables in the afternoon, the children gained a deeper understanding of the plant growth cycle and the hard work behind food production.

This trip was more than just a farm visit—it was a celebration of growth, learning, and family bonds. The children are left with not only vegetables and muddy memories but also a sense of accomplishment as they prepare for their next educational chapter.

A heartfelt thank you to all the parents and carers who joined us, making this day even more special. Your support helped create a lasting memory for the children as they closed this chapter of their Early Years journey.