Shropshire primary school's pupils mark Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday with activities and cake

Primary school pupils organised a host of nature-inspired activities to mark Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday yesterday (May 8).

The celebrations at Coleham School in Shrewsbury were launched with a whole-school assembly led by Shropshire Wildlife Trust, focusing on Sir David’s extraordinary global impact and the importance of caring for the local environment.

Pupils reflected on how individual actions can make a difference, close to home and around the world.

Pupils at the school have an ongoing relationship with Shropshire Wildlife Trust and worked together to name Shrewsbury’s resident beavers, Beryl and Bertie, gaining first-hand insight into how the beavers’ dams are transforming the local landscape and supporting biodiversity.

The school was filled with creativity throughout the day as pupils arrived dressed as animals, explorers, Sir David Attenborough himself, or in eco-themed and nature-print outfits.

Lunchtime featured a birthday party and outdoor picnic.

Seven-year-old pupil Olive Long was especially excited about the celebrations.

She said she was inspired after watching Blue Planet documentaries about polar bears and sharks.

She wrote a letter to Sir David Attenborough last year and was “overjoyed” to receive a reply.

Dressed as a tiger, Olive proudly shared her letter with her class as part of the day’s activities.

As part of their commitment to environmental action, every child at Coleham School recorded a personal green pledge, promising one change they would make to help protect the planet.

The school’s eco councillors will now collate the pledges to create a Coleham School Green Pledge, which will be submitted to the Shropshire Wildlife Trust Schools’ Green Promise competition.

Green activities ran throughout the day and included litter picks, a visit to the nature photography exhibition at Shrewsbury Museum and collaborative artwork at forest school.

Pupils attending an after-school club also played their part by creating a fantastic handmade birthday card for Sir David Attenborough, which will be sent to him to mark his milestone birthday.

The celebrations culminated in an afternoon birthday event with families, where pupils performed their song I Am The Earth, before singing Happy Birthday to Sir David.

A highlight of the day was the unveiling of a spectacular three-tier birthday cake, created in partnership with the Love Spoon Bakery in Coleham.

Each tier represented a different environment – the oceans, the deserts and the rainforests – and featured edible animal decorations designed and drawn by pupils.

Slices of cake were sold after school, with all donations going to Shropshire Wildlife Trust.

Headteacher Tom Larkham said: “As an ex-zookeeper, Sir David is a childhood hero of mine and he is also a hero to many of our children and families. He has inspired so many of us to not only notice the natural world, but to celebrate and care for it.

“His life and work show us that one person really can make a difference; today was about inspiring our children to believe their voices matter, to be independent thinkers, and to see themselves as active citizens within their community.

“Our community cares deeply about the environment around them, and we hope this experience empowers them to carry on that passion into their futures at a time when it is most needed.”