Caring for wildlife is an important part of environmental learning at Newington Community primary in Ramsgate.
This festive season pupils joined in a Christmas campaign to ‘nurture nature’ and create bird-feeder baubles.
The county-wide initiative was launched by Kent housebuilder Barratt David Wilson Homes that donated fat ball kits to help combat the British bird population’s scarcity of natural food sources over the winter months.
Bird numbers have plummeted since the 1970s, and government data shows this trend continuing – to support local wildlife, the company distributed more than 120 kits to schools.
The idea was to encourage children to make their own ‘baubles’ using peanut butter clay, sunflower seeds and wire cages. These were then hung across school grounds to provide a food source for birds across the winter months.
Hannah Tudor, Head Teacher, said: “Our pupils loved taking part in this campaign, as it merged the love of nature and Christmas all in one.
“Whilst we are all very much in the festive spirit, we must remember that the winter months are a tough period for bird populations. We want to ensure that as a school we’re doing what we can to support nature here in Kent, and there is no better way than demonstrating this through creativity.
“A big thank you to all at Barratt David Wilson Kent, and we look forward to seeing the birds flock to our school grounds over winter.”
Natalie Perry, Sales and Marketing Director at Barratt David Wilson Kent, added: “Our county-wide campaign perfectly summarises the importance of supporting biodiversity for us at Barratt David Wilson Kent.
“We wanted to create something that showcases community spirit across the county, as well as educating children on the vital need for adequate food sources for birds over Christmas.
“We hope the pupils enjoyed making their very own ‘baubles’ and we look forward to hearing which birds they see the most, whether it be robins, sparrows or starlings.”
Other schools taking part included Westlands Primary School, The Churchill School, Primary School, Sholden Church of England Primary, and Newlands Primary School.
*Barratt David Wilson Kent is building a number of homes across Kent in Minster, Ramsgate, Sholden, Hythe, Sittingbourne.
