Blooming marvellous! Year 6 Jewell student wows judges with Platinum Jubilee planter as peers celebrate with tea party

A green-fingered year 6 pupil at Jewell Academy has secured his place at this month’s Bournemouth in Bloom final!

Thomas Light wowed judges Councillor Jane Kelly and Reverend Chris Colledge with his transformation of a humble plastic planter into a colourful display to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. 

His planter was covered with a royal inspired design and the colours of red, white and blue. He also chose flowers with a connection to the Queen including Busy Lizzies and Lily of the Valley (known to be a favourite of Queen Elizabeth II).

Ali Sinclair, vice-principal at Jewell Academy, said: “The entry from Thomas was very impressive. It was neat, well-thought out and he had spent time thinking about choosing plants with a royal connection to the Queen.”

Some 25 schools across Bournemouth have participated with the winning entry from each school now through to a final which will take place June 17th at Bournemouth Town Hall.

 

Young Thomas was not the only student marking the Queen’s momentous 70 years on the throne. 

His peers spent the last afternoon of school before half-term enjoying a jubilee picnic on the field which included fish and chips for lunch and fun activities in the sunshine, to celebrate the once-in-a-lifetime occasion.

Mrs Sinclair said: “It is important to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with events like supporting Bournemouth in Bloom and a jubilee picnic because it helps encourage a feeling of community and national pride.

“The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is an historic moment and we want the children to recognise and appreciate the significance of it. The children think the Queen is someone to be proud of because she has done such a great job for such a long time!”

For students at Ocean Academy in Poole, the morning was spent learning about the history behind the Queen’s 70-year reign and her devotion to service. 

The afternoon saw a tea party for the children which involved enjoying squash, biscuits and participating in a scavenger hunt, quiz and creating portraits of the Queen. 

The special day of celebrations also provided a lovely opportunity post-Covid for different year groups to be together again. 

Loren Tharme, Associate Principal at Ocean, said: “The street party style celebrations at Ocean were held in the playgrounds in the afternoon. It has been nice for the students to spend time together having fun, enjoying squash and biscuits and playing games. It was such a nice opportunity for the children to mix with children from different year groups.

“The children spent the morning learning about the history of the monarchy and they understand why the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is an important milestone in history and an incredible achievement.”