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UEL trainee teacher helps bring Bill Oddie and Honey Monster back to school for bee project

Tuesday 3 July 2007

Year 1 pupils at Thameside Infant School in Thurrock got a real buzz when BBC wildlife presenter Bill Oddie brought his buddy the Honey Monster to class for a special bee-themed assembly on Thursday 28 June.

The celebrity visit was the pupils’ reward for success in a national competition run by the Natural History Museum and Sugar Puffs, sponsors of “The Wonderful World of Bees”, a unique teaching resource that has inspired all Year 1 lessons this term.

Guided by University of East London (UEL) teacher trainee Jade Stanislas, class teacher Nicki Watson-Paul and teaching assistant Julie Beaumont, the pupils have been taking part in all kinds of bee-related activities, from cooking with honey to researching facts about bees.

Jade Stanislas (25), from Stratford, began her final UEL primary teacher training placement at Thameside on the first day of the Wonderful World of Bees project. Jade is now about to complete her training and has already secured a position at Parsonage Farm Primary School in Rainham.

Jade said: “I've had a fantastic time working with the pupils on the Wonderful World of Bees, and today’s been a very special day for all of us. The class have been really enthusiastic all term, and Nicki and Julia have given me excellent guidance and support.

Ms Watson Paul said: “The Wonderful World of Bees has been a really fun resource that has inspired the class and got everyone thinking about the environment.

"The children have loved learning about bees, and I couldn’t resist entering their wonderful work into the competition. To have Bill and the Honey Monster visit our school is fantastic recognition for the pupil's hard work and enthusiasm.”

The Wonderful World of Bees teaching resource has been distributed to 5000 primary schools across the UK as part of a national campaign to motivate youngsters into boosting the rapidly declining bee population by creating their own bee-friendly habitats.

Bill Oddie, star of BBC’s Springwatch, said: “The British honeybee population has taken a bit of a bashing over the winter and their numbers are in need of a serious boost.

“By teaching children about bees and the important role that they play in our environment, we can inspire the next generation to protect natural habitats that are essential for the survival of the bee, the production of honey and the wellbeing of our nation.”

Jade said: “It all makes me really happy I decided to become a primary school teacher. The training at UEL has been fantastic - hard work but really rewarding, and I can’t wait to start my new job in July.”

The University of East London recently received a glowing report from Ofsted for the quality of its postgraduate primary teacher training. For further information, call 020 8223 2152 or visit www.uel.ac.uk/education.

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For details and pictures contact Patrick Wilson: 020 8223 2061 or 07951 797 975

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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