Fish Keeper Fry - water change

After cleaning the filter we used the gravel cleaner to carefully clean the gravel. We carefully sucked at the gravel, removing dirt, debris, uneaten food and other unwanted waste. The water was syphoned through the tube into a bucket.
We were then ready to replace the water. We treated the water with a conditioner and refilled the tank using jugs.
Our fish now have a cleaner habitat. We finished by checking the water levels for ammonia and nitrogen. The water measured as safe for the fish.

Fish Keeper Fry - Cleaning

We noticed from testing the water that is was time to clean the filter.
We removed the filter and washed it out in a clean bucket.
We were amazed how much the water changed colour as we squeezed the filter.

Fish Keeper Fry Harlequins

We added new fish today - Harlequins.
They are silver and grey. We found out they will fit in with our Zebra Danios and Platies because they prefer to swim in the middle of the tank. The Zebra Danios swim at the top and the Platies swim everywhere. This means everyone has space and can get to the food. No arguments in our tank!

Fish Keeper Fry Platies

We were all very excited in year 3 to welcome our next group of fish; four Platies. The children worked well together to balance the fish in the tank whilst they were still inside their bag - it is important to acclimatise the fish to their new tank.
They then tested the water and checked the results against the chart. This all gets recorded by the children on our log sheet.
The children then cut open the bag and released the Platies to meet the Zebra Danios.

Fish Keeper Fry Zebra Danios

Year 3 are the proud owners of a tank and a selection of Zebra Danio fish!
The children have learned how to wash gravel, test the water levels and even plant the weeds ready for the fish.

Fish keeper Fry

Fish Keeper Fry - Year 3

Year 3 are excited to embark on our Fish Keeper Fry journey. We have signed up to Maidenhead Aquatic's Fish Keeper Fry's programme.

All the children will spend eight weeks setting up and looking after an aquarium with a variety of tropical fish being added over the programme. 

We will keep you updated with our journey here or you can view updates on Facebook and Instagram!

https://www.facebook.com/FishkeeperFry/

https://www.instagram.com/fishkeeper_fry/

Winter Grounds Day

Each year at Wicor we hold four seasonal grounds days a year, where all 436 children have the opportunity take part in gardening activities. With the whole school working outside the children have a hands on learning of their world and what is happening seasonally.

A focus is given for each of these days and this winter our focus was trees, the main activity being tree planting. This year we have been very lucky to be donated over 200 trees from The Woodland Trust and Carbon Footprint.

The idea of planting a tree for most would be to dig an enormous hole and plant a big root ball. The children were most excited to learn that the trees we were planting were small whips and at the very beginning of their life cycle. Comments were made about how they look forward to come back to school and see how their trees have grown in years to come.

As a result the care and love that went into the planting of our trees was infectious. Skills learnt included digging, planting, staking and mulching. This was overseen and assisted by many of our wonderful garden volunteers.

Because of the environmental work we take part in here at Wicor South Today, BBC Radio Solent and The Portsmouth News all wished to cover our news!

With our very own radio station and green screen here at Wicor the children were fascinated about themselves creating local news and having journalists and crew recording on site.