Widford Lodge are involved in an exciting project called Expedition Penguin.

In January 2020, a team of expedition scientists are sailing by yacht across some of the roughest seas in the world to the South Sandwich Islands in Antarctica to see if the world’s biggest chinstrap penguin colony (last seen when filming Planet Earth 2) has survived a volcano eruption on the island of Zavodovski. The only way to find out is by visiting the colony in person.

The team will also uncover the effects that plastic, climate change and even volcanic activity is having on penguin and whale populations.

We are following the expedition as a school and getting sent regular updates about where the scientists are. As part of this Mrs Pawsey has sent a flag with our school logo on it with the scientists and they will place it at the Antarctic while they work there. Our flag will then be returned and delivered in person by one of the experts that went on the trip. This is such an amazing opportunity for the pupils to follow the flag and get an insight into the effects of plastic on the penguins’ environment. I look forward to updating you soon as to the flag’s progress.

Mrs Pawsey