Tristan da Cunha Education News

World Albatross Day 2020 at St Mary's School

Report from Clare Ryan and Stephanie Martin. Photos by Clare Ryan and Trevor Glass

St Mary's School celebrated the first ever World Albatross Day on Friday 19th June 2020. The children have been busy learning about the albatrosses that live on Tristan da Cunha and the surrounding islands. They created and displayed a range of different work including posters, pictures and information sheets about albatrosses. Enjoy these photos of the day and of the children's work. Playgroup (top) and their art (right & below)

Staff from the Conservation Department visited school to look at the children's wonderful work and to give a presentation showing how large the wingspan these seabirds have. It was also an excellent opportunity to learn about the Tristan Albatross, a species that only nests in the Tristan archipelago.

Trevor Glass, the Head of Conservation, thanked the staff and children for their support of World Albatross Day. His colleague Kirsty Green brought along a beautiful and tasty cake that she had made, showing an Atlantic Yellow-nosed Alabatross and chick. Everyone tucked into the cake at the end of the presentation.

Kirsty Green's 'Save our Albatross' cake	Class 1 Artwork
Students with the cake and and the model used to demonstrate albatross wing spans

Information sheets by Shannon & Kieran (left), Chantelle & Callum (middle), and Jamie & Julie (right)

Playgroup Patches Trip

Report and photos from Education Adviser Clare Ryan

With a trip to the Patches planned, Playgroup were pleased on Tuesday 9th June 2020 when the weather was sunny and bright. The children have been learning about different types of transport and had hoped to visit the Patches on the bus. Unfortunately, that wasn't possible so we borrowed the Administrator's Land Rover. Accompanied by Miss Clare and Miss Kaitlyn, the children counted all the different vehicles they saw on the way.

Playgroup and their transport to the Patches.

The weather was nice enough to enjoy a picnic in the sun. After some exploring at the Patches, and more counting of vehicles, it was time to return to school!

Playgroup enjoying their picnic during their Patches trip.

In the days following the trip, the older children in Playgroup did some fantastic writing about their trip!

Magic Potions in Playgroup!

Report and photos from Clare Ryan

For the last few weeks, Playgroup have enjoyed reading the book 'Room on the Broom' which features, as its main character, a very friendly witch. To celebrate their wonderful work which has included some fantastic writing, pictures and maths work, the children made a magic potion on Thursday 7th May 2020. Obviously, magic wands were needed first so the children decorated their own! This was followed by writing magic spells before moving outside for the magic potions!

The children were fascinated to watch the reactions involved in mixing vinegar, bicarbonate of soda, bubble bath, food colouring and glitter! The magic potion bubbled as the children waved their wands and said their magic words! They really enjoyed the chance for practical learning (which is very important for young children) and had fun making predictions and observations about their potion!