Wrexham’s MP joins local primary school pupils for an Under the Sea ‘Super Learning Day’

Wrexham’s MP recently joined pupils at a local primary school to take part in an Under the Sea ‘Super Learning Day’.

Sam Bennett, an eleven-year old pupil at Park Primary School, contacted Ms Atherton last month to raise concerns about hunting and whaling leading to some animals becoming endangered.

Sarah Atherton MP responded by telling Sam that some of his questions “were more sensible than some I hear in Parliament!” before the two discussed the issues over email, which led to Year 6 organising a day of awareness for the rest of the school and inviting Ms Atherton along.

Speaking of the event, Ms Atherton said: “It is fantastic not just to see children becoming aware of the effect we all have on the planet around us, but actually organising themselves to make others aware.

“Year 6 set this up and took ownership of educating the younger year groups in their school, and if that doesn’t make for responsible future citizens, I don’t know what will.”

Jason Whalley, Year 6 Teacher at Park Primary school added: “After discussing the effect of plastic pollution on the ocean population, pupils were encouraged to participate in independent learning, to raise awareness of the ever-increasing global issue.

“When conducting research pupils stumbled across a cultural tradition in the Faroe Islands ‘Grindadráp’ where hundreds of whales are killed each year, with the meat being distributed to feed the population. The pupils questioned if there was a more humane way to kill these animals, and, if there were other sustainable food sources on the islands. Some pupils felt so strongly that they wrote emails to politicians giving their own opinions and solutions.

“We have also been in contact with Faroese representation in London and will be linking up with a school in The Faroe Islands to share information and learn more about life in each other’s countries directly.

“I am extremely proud of all the children for their hard work. It shows that we have ethically informed citizens in our school in meeting with the implementation of the Curriculum for Wales 2022.”

Speaking specifically about whaling, Ms Atherton added: “Whale populations have still not recovered from past hunting and face serious threats such as pollution and climate change.

“Whaling has been illegal in the UK for 30 years and we have a long-standing commitment to maintaining the moratorium on commercial whaling and supporting ongoing work to strengthen conservation and welfare initiatives managed by the International Whaling Commission, but it is important that we bring pressure on other countries, who may not be so concerned with the impact they are having on the seas.”