Half-term holidays for most students may consist of a week's lazing in the sun, maybe an active trip away with family or dusk-to-dawn computer games.
For some, the May half-term means revision for upcoming exams. For fifteen year 12 students, this revision would take place in less usual climes.
Over the course of seven days, accompanied by two teachers, these BTEC and A-Level Biology students became conservation workers, assisting volunteers
for the Atlantic Whale Foundation in Tenerife.
Students: Ben Casey-Green, Stephen Chandler, Ciaran Pearson, Lewis Bourke, Naomi Bruen, Lindsey Pannell, Cindy Tang, Claire Davidson, Josh Scott,
James Sutton, Tsoek Him Pang, Grace Okafo, Joel Crook, Jess Ollis and Jamie Hanna
Teachers: Miss Brown and Mr. Matthews
Their volunteer work was varied on a daily basis, but typically consisted of spotting cetaceans (whales and dolphins), analysing and recording their
behaviour, taking data and photographs, even educating paying tourists on what they were seeing. Some students each day were also assigned to cooking
and cleaning for the working volunteers, but this group also had a special challenge. The AWF, led by Ed Bentham, awarded the winning group of three
£300 based upon the impact of a conservation video they each made. The winning group assembled a moving piece highlighting the plight of endangered gorillas.
The money is to be sent to a charity working to help relieve the suffering these magnificent animals endure.
On their return to Walton High, students and staff then delivered a short evening's reminiscence, entertaining a collection of parents, families and
teachers with their stories. It is envisaged that this becomes a regular fixture in the Walton High Calendar.
Every single student, and both teachers, were moved by the whole week, and came back energised and enthused by the natural wonders they had all witnessed.
A fantastic, 'life-changing' week, this was an opportunity grasped by all, and forgotten by none.
Each of the videos can be found at http://www.nogododo.com or http://www.youtube.com. Please be advised that each of these
videos shows animals in plight, and some of the scenes may not be suitable for all viewers.
Future year 12 students: If this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is something that you are interested in, then please speak with Miss Brown or
Mr. Matthews in Science. It is a week that you'll never regret.
 Student Testimonials |
