Attenborough Adventurers

Posted at 9:44 am on 15th June, 2021

Improving Our Environment

Wellacre’s Year 7 Attenborough Adventurers have been extremely busy during their Period 6 sessions, making a positive environmental impact to the school and wider community. 

Mrs Doolan, Teacher of Geography, said:

“Our Year 7 students have enjoyed learning and acting on environmental issues with both the planting and conservation of our new wildflower area, and the community litter pick.  I’m really proud of their enthusiasm for the projects.”

At the start of the Summer Co-Curricular programme, the group prepared and planted a wildlife garden at the front of the school.  At the end of May, the area has been growing well with many species of flowers including daisies, dandelions, buttercups and some Dovesfoot Cranesbill. 

The organisation Plantlife is promoting #NoMowMay as when it comes to providing vital nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies and other insects, every flower counts. And Wellacre’s wildflower garden can help provide that feast.

By conserving the area, Wellacre is more likely to have many more wild flowers and lots more nectar. Students conducted a Plantlife survey and reported the results so that a  National Nectar Index could be calculated to show how lawns across Britain are helping to feed the pollinators. 

Bradley in Year 7 said:

“My team worked together to count the flowers in square foot areas; I counted 120 flowers in my area.” 

Mrs Doolan added: 

“We came just below national average for our nectar count, however most of the flowers will be coming into flower in June and July, so we will do this again then to see how it improves.”

The Attenborough Adventurers also took the streets surrounding the school as part of the Great British Spring Clean #MillionMileMission!

Wellacre has pledged that the environmental group, which includes 16 students, will spend 2 hours over a fortnight between 28th May - 13th June to pick litter.  Students’ contribution to this initiative will result in 1920 minutes and will equate to 96 miles of litter picking for the Great British spring clean.

Mrs Sharrock, Principal, joined in a session with the Adventurers. She commented:

“I was inspired by Mrs Doolan’s vision for a wildflower garden and my recent visit to RHS Bridgewater has made me even more committed to stop mowing some of our lawns in order to promote the wildflower garden. Once again, our students and staff have pledged their time and enthusiasm for an initiative, which will benefit the community through the litter pick.  I am so proud of them!”