Pupils abuzz about bees

The college has been working with The Pollinator Project on the initiative.

Pollinator Project joint co-ordinator Vanessa Crispini-Adams said work began in local schools last year to raise awareness of the importance of bees and pollination.

‘We started by showing very unusual slow motion footage of insects to about 1,000 kids, which captured their imagination,’ she said.

‘This year we are moving it a stage further with our six Guernsey bumblebees that are native to Guernsey campaign.’

Blanchelande will be the 15th local school this year to create its own pollinator patch.

‘I think it’s very important for people to discover that there are so many different types of bumblebees,’ said pupil Ella Tucker, 11.

Niamh Cameron, also 11, said: ‘Without bees, there would not be so much honey or different types of bees in the world.’

Reception teacher Cathy Stephenson said outdoor learning was part of the Blanchelande curriculum.

‘We use the adjoining forest area for something every week and it’s exciting to expand the children’s understanding of the pollination of plants,’ she said.

‘They are fascinated by anything to do with mini beasts [insects] and it will enhance our outdoor sessions.’

The work is being carried out in conjunction with a creative colouring competition that is being organised by the Guernsey Arts Commission.

Youngsters are being invited to colour a template to match one type of the six bumblebees native to Guernsey. Entries will be displayed in Le Friquet Garden Centre from 18 to 25 May to coincide with International Day of the Bee on 20 May.

Redwood Business Risk Services are sponsoring the competition which is being promoted in all Guernsey schools.

‘Unfortunately, there has been a lot of doom and gloom about the threat to bees but this is something very positive and creative to come out of it,’ said Redwood’s Tess Bisson.

n Further details of the Pollinator Project can be found at pollinatorproject.gg