Pupils from Kingswood School in Bath have planted a Mulberry tree in the grounds of the school as part of a national tree planting initiative.
Launched by the Boarding Schools’ Association, The Boarding Orchard aims to be the largest orchard by distance in the UK and involves boarding schools joining the orchard by planting fruit trees in their grounds. The trees symbolise the ‘tree of knowledge’ and demonstrate each school’s commitment to growth and caring for the environment. Since its launch, schools across the UK have joined The Boarding Orchard, and trees have also been planted at boarding schools in Switzerland and the USA.
Kingswood Headmaster, Simon Morris, and Boarding Schools’ Association Chief Executive, Robin Fletcher, who also lives in Bath, will plant the new tree with Kingswood boarding pupils Sabrina Robley, Hugo Weston, Mimi Watts, Wilfred Nokes, Polina Kuprish, Nino Buranasetkul and Stephanie Sergeant.
Mr Morris explained, “We are delighted to join the BSA’s national tree planting initiative. At Kingswood we as passionate about the environment and contributing to a fair and sustainable future for all. Many of our pupils take part in a wide range of activities, projects and programmes that cover the many facets of sustainability and, as well as having our own sustainable development society jointly run by staff and pupils, we host the Youth Climate Summit here in Bath.
“The Mulberry tree has particular significance here at Kingswood.
The Mulberry harbours used on D-day for the landing on the Normandy beaches were designed at the school during World War II when members of the Admiralty were resident at the school.”