Dr Jane Goodhall

Portway Junior School - Meeting Dr Jane Goodall

Bournemouth May 22^nd 2011

Receiving the news in November 2010 that we had been awarded a Roots and Shoots gold medal and along with it an invitation to meet Dr Goodall in person at London Zoo was indeed cause for celebration. Sadly, we were unable to go to the London event and, although delighted with our gold medal, we were obviously terribly disappointed at missing out on the opportunity to meet Jane herself.

So when Jasmina called in February to ask us whether we would be able get to Bournemouth on May 22^nd to take part in a celebration of Jane's life work to date and 50 years of groundbreaking research at Gombe, there was no hesitation. Being given a second chance to meet Dr Goodall in person and for the children to hear for themselves how valued their efforts are was almost too good to be true.

After several weeks of planning and after school activities to produce poems and paintings, a proud Portway and Harrow Way contingent of 44 children, parents, grandparents and teachers made their to Bournemouth University to meet, as our pupils aptly put it, 'the one and only Dr Jane Goodall'.

An hour after arriving and a display of our Roots & Shoots achievements spanning 5 years was almost complete. Photographs had been selected, artefacts in position, laptop set up, paintings and poems on display and behind the scenes a hive of feverish activity as the finishing touches were made. Amongst tea and cakes, and a sea of paper leaves, scissors and felt pens everyone was busy doing something to make sure we were ready on time.

We had a wonderful day. From the excited whispers of 'She's here!' to precious moments when we got to stand shoulder to shoulder with Jane and chat about trees and gardens and snails and have our photograph taken together (just look at the smiles!)... or listening to not just one but two of Dr Goodall's spellbinding talks, asking questions, watching the moving and inspirational film 'Jane's Journey'... it was day to remember and treasure.

Back at school the next day, the children were already planning what to do next to show that we can all make a difference. Roots & Shoots, we can't thank you enough.