By Mrs McPhail (Geography Teacher)
Photo - A crew member holding our flag near the Denman glacier.
In recent years, the celebration of Antarctica Day (1st December) has kick-started the Antarctica Flags Project. The project aims to link schools with scientists and support personnel who carry student-designed flags to Antarctica to ‘fly’ on the continent.
It was back in the Autumn term when the Upper Sixth A level Geography class were learning about Antarctica as part of their course and between them created artwork which would form the basis of our flag. The project is run by the UK Polar Network and tries to raise awareness of this vast continent. This covers topics such as governance and the Antarctic Treaty as well as learning about penguins and krill and the pressures that are now felt by this vast wilderness. The design this year featured some very creative ideas.
We were delighted to hear this week that our flag has finally reached Antarctica. It has been on quite a journey. It was taken on board the RSV Nuyina which is a huge icebreaker, scientific research platform and resupply ship for the Australian Antarctic Program.
Australia is conducting a major science campaign studying one of the fastest retreating glaciers in East Antarctica called the Denman glacier. It is believed that this glacier could have a huge impact on sea level rise. And so, it is amazing to think that our A4 flag was held on board the RSV Nuyina whilst it was taking part on the Denman Marine Voyage with 60 scientists alongside it!
We hope to enter the program again next year with other Year groups.
