Logos from five primary schools in the city are being sent to Antarctica in a special commemorative journey to complete Ernest Shackleton’s polar journey he started 100 years ago.
Polar Explorer Antony Jinman, is leading an expedition in the depths of the polar winter with the logos of 100 schools to celebrate the achievements of Shackleton and to finish the work he wanted to do as part of his Quest expedition in 1921/1922.
The five schools – Eggbuckland Vale Primary School, Leigh Primary School, Manadon Vale Primary School, Thornbury Primary school and Widey Court Primary School – are all part of the Connect Academy Trust, which has just introduced the UK’s first Ocean Conservation Curriculum across their schools.
Antony Jinman said:
“My team and I have pledged to complete Shackleton’s Quest and in so doing commemorate the life of this incredible man and complete the scientific work he set out to do.”
Plymouth-born Jinman is most widely recognised for being the twelfth Britain to have skied to the North Pole and ski solo to the South Pole. He also lays personal claim to being recognised by the Queen and gaining Royal Patronage from the Prince of Wales after an expedition to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
As a boy in Plymouth he dreamed of the day he could follow in the footsteps of fellow Plymothian and Antarctic explorer Captain Robert Falcon Scott. This came one step closer when he served as a surveyor in the Royal Navy on board the Captain’s namesake ship HMS Scott. Through his ‘Education Through Expeditions’ (ETE) initiative – which promotes polar science and education to schools in Devon – Antony made it possible for 8,000 children to track his journey through email and satellite wi-fi, documenting the moment he stood at the South Pole using drones.
Stuart Bellworthy, chief executive at Connect said:
“The health and wellbeing of the ocean is crucial to life on earth. Shackleton was on his final expedition to explore the Antarctic and enhance scientific understanding of the region and his courage and determination are exemplary.
“The role of the polar icecaps in maintaining the earth’s temperature and water levels is vital, so with our Ocean Conservation curriculum, we are inspiring our children to safeguard our ocean and life on earth.
“The expedition we are supporting will be carrying out the educational and scientific experiments begun by Shackleton, but this time looking at the impact of climate change and plastics. They will be beaming their work live to children in classrooms all over the world – and we’re delighted to be part of that!”
Jinman’s expedition will also face some testing conditions in dangerous environments. The plan is to hold a Memorial Service on January 5 2022 on the ice at which the school logos will be displayed. Full information is on the expedition website www.AntarcticQuest21.com
