PUPILS from St Michael’s Primary School in Kingsteignton have been busy bees building bug hotels and creating bee highways as part of their project on looking after our environment. 

The project began with a letter which the Year 4 youngsters wrote to Kingsteignton Town Council which highlighted the importance of bees and other pollinators for the environment.

Year 4 teacher Hannah Murray said: ‘The letter told the council that the children are  concerned about  the loss of these vital creatures and It has persuaded the town council to build bee highways in the local community.’

To start the ball rolling the pupils have built their own bug hotels and bee highways using materials gathered from the school’s Secret Garden and seeds that have been donated by a parent at the school. 

Continuing to spread the important message, Year 4 have also shared their ideas with the Rights Respecting Ambassadors, who are working with Hannah towards the UNICEF Gold Rights Respecting award and the Eco Council, both of whom are sharing the message across the school and their local community. 

‘It is really important to our school that our children understand their rights and can access them,’ added Hannah.

‘Article 12 says that children have the right to a say in matters that affect them and this project has given them that opportunity.’

Future projects planned by the children to further promote awareness, will include a plastic art installation and a special “Bee Day”.

‘At St Michael’s we want children to grow up knowing that they have the power to create a better world,’ added head of school Kate Arnold.

‘Our ethos is to support them in every way, to learn how this can be done, and to be courageous in attempting big ideas.’