Sir David Attenborough, the voice of the natural world, reached his 100th birthday on May 8TH 2026, and the Young High School community ensured the milestone didn’t go unnoticed.
During Term 1, Year 8 students studied the natural environment, classification of living things, and learnt about techniques used to create documentaries, through studying some of Sir David Attenborough’s work. The students made a documentary based on the Murray-Darling Basin, a biota (plant or animal) that lives there, and the ways we can help reduce the human impact on the Murray Darling Basin. Chosen documentaries from each class were shown at an ‘Oscars’ ceremony on May 8th, where judges chose the overall winning documentary.
On the Friday a grand opening of native habitats created in the Aboriginal garden by Year 7 & 8 students to bring wildlife to the school, including homes for native lizards, butterflies, frogs and bees, was held. Also, winners of the creative arts competition were announced (winners included Teddy Barnes, Alexis Satias and Kacee Goodridge).
Part of the celebration involved taste testing of traditional Aboriginal bush tucker, with many students trying kangaroo meat for their first time, along with local honey, salt-bush leaves, and lilly-pilly cordial. A small group of year 10 and 11 students planted natives that had been kindly donated for the event, as part of Young High’s contribution towards the local natural environment. (A huge thank you to all the local businesses and organisations who contributed to help make the day a success.)
The afternoon session saw the whole school taking turns in being involved in a ‘birthday party’ for Sir David in the AWS, and watching Christian from Raptor Reptiles introduce us to some special creatures, including ‘Big Mumma’ a blue-tongued lizard, and a short-necked turtle, with the highlight for some students being able to feed the tawny frogmouth, or hold or pat Casper, the rather large pale yellow python.
Highlighted throughout the day was the younger generation’s commitment to the environmental legacy. Attenborough spent a lifetime building. The school community showcased their deep respect for the legendary broadcaster and naturalist. As the world celebrates 100 years of a man who changed the way we see nature, the students of Young High School have proven that his message of conservation is in safe hands for the next century.
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