Star International School Mirdif’s Quest to Becoming Ocean Ambassadors

FEATURE GILL ROBERTS

Star International School Mirdif are not new to the call of the ocean; they have been learning about the ocean, particularly the Arabian Gulf and the Indian ocean for the last couple of years through themed projects in their Primary curriculum and through distance learning in lockdown.

The children have recently learnt about how historically, these two oceans supported the economy of Dubai through pearl diving. As part of this theme, the children learnt about the fearless divers who risked their lives by freediving to gather the pearls in order to make a living. One of Star International Mirdif’s Year 4 children, Farouk Ounah was so enthused by this theme, that he actually learnt to freedive. He has recently become the youngest child to freedive in the Dubai aquarium (we are very proud of him).

Ms Gill, the Principal of the school is passionate about diving and the conservation of the ocean. She is herself a PADI IDC Staff Instructor and over the course of her time in school has passed on this passion and enthusiasm to others. She has certified several teachers to become Open Water and Advanced Open Water divers. Her latest recruit is Nikan, a Year 5 student who is soon to have his 10th birthday in which he will be old enough to complete his Junior Open Water Diver certification… so this is just what he is doing – how’s that for enthusiasm and passion!

As you can see from above, the school is already working towards becoming ocean ambassadors, so imagine their delight when it was broadcast that DUBAI 92 would be working with schools and Freestyle Divers on an ocean coral reef conservation project.

The school immediately signed up and took a part in the Dubai 92 competition. This was highlighted to all the children and staff through different key stage assemblies; the work of PADI and their Ocean torch bearers was also introduced to the children. As part of the Dubai 92 competition, the older children have designed an artificial coral reef to act as a home for corals, fish and juvenile sharks. Everyone in the school and community listened to a webinar led by Freestyle Divers’ Marine Biologist about what coral reefs are and how to protect them. This knowledge supported the children with their designs.

As additional events, the school didn’t stop there; they got together with Mohamed Helmy, the PADI Course Director at Al Boom Diving and created events for the younger children in the school community to participate in.

As a school, Ms Gill believes that children need to be educators, in order to be an educator regarding the ocean, the children have to understand how the ocean works. At an early age children learn about the hazards to animals that human litter/rubbish causes. The EYFS children have been investigating the creatures of the deep and have been surprised to see that some of the creatures in their artificial ocean have become tangled in debris. They have been discussing how they, as 4 year olds can stop this from happening. Their conversations, even at 4 years of age have been incredibly inspirational.

Taking their inspiration from these children, Ms Gill and Mohamed from Al Boom Diving have created a hazard competition. The aim is for children to think like conservationists and become aware of how different types of litter impact our marine life. If they can think like conservationists and be proactive, then they can educate others around them to do the same… even at the age of 4.

To initiate a whole school community event supporting Dubai Cares and the Dubai 92 initiative,Star Mirdif certified divers:Jack,Donal, Marion, Poppy and Kyle completed a dive for Debris at Jumeirah beach accompanied by Ms Gill. It was an incredible success, enriched with a lot of teacher enthusiasm for supporting the clean-up of reefs. Different sorts of debris were found, the most popular items being water bottle tops, cigarette butts and COVID-19 masks. Staff will be sharing this information with the children on their return back to school where children will be analysing these results against other global results to see if they can ascertain any common factors. At the end of the event, Ms Gill voiced, “The Ocean is a place which leaves you mesmerised after your first initial experience; it’s a place of vibrant beauty, a place where, for me, time stands still and I am able to become at one with nature. I want others to have the opportunity of experiencing these feelings and seeing the beauty that the ocean has to offer.

I am delighted with the way the children have embraced their learning about the ocean. Dubai 92 is only the beginning; Star International School will use this initiative as the platform to launch our status of Ocean Ambassadors and work alongside Dubai 92, PADI, Project AWARE, Emirates Diving Association and of course, Al Boom Diving to really make an impact on the coastlines in the United Arab Emirates”.