STAFFORDSHIRE PRIMARY SCHOOL ‘TURTLEY’ AMAZED AFTER HOMEBUILDER’S ANIMAL ADOPTION

A Hednesford primary school is the proud sponsor of four new-born turtles thanks to an adoption by David Wilson Homes in light of International Animal Rights Day (10th December).

Poppyfield Academy are located close to The Fallows on Pye Green Road, and were asked to think of exciting names for the four loggerhead turtles adopted by the homebuilder.

With a turtle for each year group, one name was specially selected from suggestions submitted by pupils in Nursery, Reception, Year One and Year Two. The winning names were:

Dougee – Chosen by Tommy in Nursery
Spud – Chosen by Oliver B in Reception
Sparkles – Chosen by Elexis in Year One
Mertle – Chosen by Oaklen (and Mr. Harrison) in Year Two
Becky Scordis, Headteacher at Poppyfield Academy, said: “The children loved coming up with their own names for the turtles. They have completed lots of research into the environment and how they can help to protect it. They have developed paper recycling across the school as well as designing their own battery recycling box.”

The adoptions were made through Project Biodiversity, a Cabo Verdean organisation committed to conserving and restoring the island’s unique ecosystems. Based on the island of Sal, the project implements a variety of environmental programmes that achieve ambitious conservation goals and support sustainable economic growth for the community.

As part of the adoption, the pupils each received a certificate and photograph of their baby loggerhead turtle, as well as a prize voucher from the homebuilder. The school also received a donation of books that focused on taking care of marine life and being more environmentally friendly.

Loggerhead turtles are protected under the Endangered Species Act, which means that they are in danger of extinction. All sea turtles are at risk from plastic, and in a study conducted by the University of Tokyo, loggerheads ate plastic 17% of the time they encountered it, likely mistaking it for jellyfish.

Dominic Harman, Managing Director of David Wilson Homes Mercia, said: “As the UK’s leading homebuilder, we are committed to building sustainably and responsibly.

“We were thrilled to work with pupils at Poppyfield Academy and to support Project Biodiversity. We hope that the adoption of four new born turtles will encourage pupils to be more environmentally conscious, and that the donation of books will teach them why it’s so important to take care of marine life.”