Ocean Day at Yarrells: A Triumph of Community Spirit and Ocean Conservation

Ocean Day at Yarrells: A Triumph of Community Spirit and Ocean Conservation

Ocean Day at Yarrells School was a shining example of our vibrant community spirit and collective commitment to raising awareness for ocean conservation. The event was organised by Mrs Sharpe and her Environment Committee, who wanted to take further steps toward spreading knowledge about the importance of caring for our oceans.

Students and staff came together, donning blue clothing or dressing up as creatures from the deep. They were sponsored to swim lengths and widths of our beautiful pool, with the goal of swimming a collective 100 miles—a tribute to Oly Rush, a renowned swimmer and founder of Project Planet, who swam that distance to support ocean conservation. Thanks to the support from our wonderful school community—through sponsorship, participation, and cake donations—we raised an outstanding £3,746.81. The funds are being split equally between Oly Rush’s Project Planet, which will support his global educational initiatives on sustainability, and the development of an Eco-House in our school paddock, offering hands-on experiences for students to explore the environment.

The children were so excited to see Oly Rush who brought in his impressive plesiosaur sculpture, crafted entirely from washed-up plastic found at sea. During a special interview in assembly with our Environment Committee, Oly shared his passion for the ocean, saying, "I am just one person, but one person can do something to make a change, and I wanted to do that." His words were truly motivational.

We were also joined by experts from Poole Harbour Commissioners, who shared insights into sustainable practices in our local area, and Parkstone Fisheries, who taught the children about sustainable fishing practices. Mrs Richmond gave the children the opportunity to work collaboratively and be creative with lots of scrap materials, with some spectacular ocean scenes being created on the field.

In addition to the school event, Mrs Sharpe organised a virtual litter pick for World Ocean Day, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. We received a fantastic selection of photographs from participants across a variety of locations, including Sandbanks, Chapman's Pool, Upton Country Park, Wareham Forest, and even as far afield as the Lake District! It was wonderful to hear that litter picks were even included in birthday celebrations!

Additionally, our Art Club has wrapped up a beautiful project, creating clay tiles of stunning sea life creatures. These textured, low-relief pieces are a true testament to the talent and creativity of our young artists.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to making Ocean Day a memorable and impactful event. It was truly a celebration of our collective passion for preserving our oceans and the planet.