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Every year our Pre-prep children vote for a vulnerable or endangered animal that they would like to raise funds for - and this year it's the turn of the giant panda.
It was brilliant to see a whole 'embarrassment of pandas' (yes, that is the collective noun!) prowling around the classrooms. Our black and white dress-up day was a joyful way to continue the giant panda fundraising efforts. There were delicious panda cupcakes (almost too beautiful to eat) and a panda inspired dance performed by students during assembly.
The children created a fabulous leafy bamboo jungle-themed mural for the library... the perfect backdrop for reading The Panda’s Child by Jackie Morris and Cathy Fisher, one of the thought-provoking panda themed books we've been inspired by.
The giant panda, part of this term’s inquiry-based learning, will continue to inspire a wealth of related learning .Our Pre-prep children have already been exploring the giant panda’s habitat and creating artwork inspired by the giant panda and bamboo forests. The children will be learning about inspiring Changemakers who have made a positive difference to our planet, inventing machines to help protect fragile habitats, such as the bamboo forest and appreciating the importance of wildlife.
At Bedales we embrace children’s natural curiosity and nurture personal agency, enabling students to shape their own learning journeys. Our diverse, flexible curriculum allows us to adapt our teaching to what resonates with them, so they feel listened to and empowered as active participants in their own learning.
All proceeds throughout the year will go to WWF to support panda conservation. Whilst giant pandas are no longer on the WWF 'Critically Endangered' list, the severe threat they've been under has left only 1,800 in the wild, so they're still very much at risk.
In previous years we've raised funds for red pandas, whales, snow leopards and sea turtles, partnering up with local organisations like 'Red Panda Network' in Nepal and the ‘Olive Ridley Project’ in the Maldives. Our fundraising target this year is £1,000 and as well as the dress up day, we raised funds at our Christmas Craft Fair in December and, at the end of June, our Year 3 children will be organising the annual Summer Fete in support of the WWF.
These events are also key parts of the learning journey for our children as they get to decide what we do or sell to help generate the funds, often coming up with innovative, mindful and sustainable ideas. In fact, one of the children on our eco-committee came up with the idea of collecting and reselling pre-loved teddy bears in the run up to Christmas, an idea aligned with helping out with the cost of Christmas and with the all-important concept of re-use and recycle.
One of the things that projects like this giant panda extravaganza shows the children very effectively, is how small, local actions can make a difference globally, in line with Bedales’ founding motto, work of each for weal of all.
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