Having a Positive Impact – Saving our Marine Life!

In line with the Global focus on World Ocean Month this June and Plastic Free July, our Student Service Leaders (the Eco Explorer Team), have been promoting the importance of recycling and reducing our use of plastic in school this term. Did you know, 10,000,000 plastic bottles are made every day in the UAE by the 4 largest producers of bottled water and that the current recycling rate is only 6%?

The Eco Explorer Service Team created learning resources that have been shared with students in lessons, teaching them about the negative impact of plastic in the ocean to raise awareness about what we can do to make a positive difference. Year 1 created beautiful and informative wall displays to showcase their learning in this area. Year 3, with the support of our IB students, have been making promises for what they will do over the summer and in the year ahead, to help support our planet’s welfare and look after our marine life.

The Eco Explorer Service Team have also led a successful Eco Art & Design Competition to celebrate ‘Sea Life’ and we have had lots of wonderful entries from students across the whole school. Nord Anglia Education is committed to raising awareness of UNICEF’s Global Goals and we are proud of our students’ efforts this term to help raise awareness and act to address two of those goals - 14. Life Below Water and 13. Climate Action.

Next Wednesday, 3rd July will be our Marine Conservation Day. We are very excited to welcome Natalie Banks, the Managing Director of AZRAQ (the UAE approved Marine Conservation organisation)  into our school for the day. Natalie will be running assemblies throughout the day for Year 1 all the way up to Year 12. Secondary students will also get the opportunity to watch a private screening of the award winning documentary ‘Blue.’ 

In addition, Natalie will be awarding certificates for our Eco Art ‘Sea Life’ Competition and announcing the winners from each key stage. The winning entries will then be made into reusable water bottles and coffee cups this summer, which will be on sale ready to fulfil our pledge to the environment for the new academic year. We are looking forward to doing all we can at BIS Abu Dhabi this summer (and beyond!) to make a positive difference to our environment and our local marine life…  watch this space!

Thanks to all students, parents and staff for supporting our initiative.

Laura Funnell & Julie Rutherford
Secondary & Primary Service Coordinators