To Infinity and Beyond!

We know our school is unique and that we have the chance to take part in many exciting activities, but our latest adventure is truly a "once in a lifetime" opportunity.

One hundred years ago, the very brave explorer Captain Robert Falcon Scott and his team undertook a long and difficult journey to the south pole. 

Scott took his favourite soft toy for company, Ponko the penguin.

They sailed in the Terra Nova and many schools made collections for the expedition. Children were particularly interested in raising money for dogs and ponies who would take part in the journey which was to explore the part of Antarctica around the Ross Sea, discovered in 1841 by Sir James Clark Ross. The adverturers also wanted to find out more about the animals, weather and geology of the Antarctic. Sadly, after reaching the south pole, Captain Scott and his colleagues were unable to battle the dreadful weather and died on their return journey. Ponko was found amongst Scott's possessions and is now in the National Maritime Museum

During 2013 Sir Rannulph Feinnes, modern-day explorer, hopes to retrace the steps of Captain Scott and will journey to Antarctica.

This will be the first winter crossing of the continent and for six months the journey will be in the dark, when temperatures will plummet to -90*. The expedition is therefore called The Coldest Journey.

Mrs Hargreaves has been part of the team who has written resources for schools to use to learn about the expedition and we are very proud that she was selected to take part in this prestigious project.

Most exciting of all, Sir Ranulph has been invited to take Mary Mouse, our school mascot, with him to the south pole. Mary was made by Serenna's gran and her winter clothing was made by Sarah, Mrs Hargreaves' daughter.

 

 

We hope Mary will be able to make the journey and we look forward to tracing her steps. Maybe one day she will even have a home in the Maritime Museum, alongside Ponko!