Students Present on the 2025 Bioasis Trip
During school assembly, students Edward (Year 7), Aidar (Year 8), and Olly (Year 7) shared highlights from their May Bioasis trip. The presentation, delivered by Edward and Olly, offered fascinating insights into the trip’s conservation efforts, explaining the science behind invasive rhododendron and tracing the origins of items found during a beach clean-up.
The removal of invasive rhododendron plants was a key effort during the trip. Introduced by the Victorians for their visual appeal, rhododendrons now pose a serious threat. They draw arsenic from deep in the soil, making it toxic for native plant life. The students worked hard to clear large areas of this invasive species, helping to restore the local ecosystem.
Another impactful part of the trip was a beach clean-up. Students and teachers filled bags with plastic and some surprising finds, including shoes, bike tyres, a rubber duck, and even a message in a bottle. These discoveries sparked further research.
The rubber duck led them to the 1992 shipping incident in which 28,000 yellow ducks were lost in the Pacific — a reminder of how ocean currents can carry waste across the globe.
The message in a bottle was written by a young boy mourning his cousin. The students investigated and found the family was likely from Plymouth, not too far from where the bottle was found. The cousin mentioned is believed to be a young soldier lost in Afghanistan.
The assembly presentation offered a compelling glimpse into the trip, showing how conservation work and unexpected discoveries can deepen our understanding of nature and human stories.
