A warm welcome for globe-trotting ex-pupil
FORMER student Matt Mason returned to the school after 15 years to let current students know about his Ocean Revival 2020 adventure and raise awareness of plastic pollution in our oceans.
On Friday, March 13, St Christopher’s welcomed back former student Matt Mason to help reinforce the school’s mission on banning single-use plastics and protecting the environment as a whole. Matt who after leaving the school studied at St Mary’s College, then decided he wanted a life of adventure rather than going on to university. Which led him into the Marines.
While in the Marines he witnessed first-hand the sheer scale of plastic pollution in the oceans and on shorelines across the globe. This prompted him to do something about the problem and raise awareness about it, so he joined the Ocean Revival 2020 Team (www.oceanrevival2020. com) to embark on another adventure. This summer he will be rowing the Atlantic Ocean, from New York to London, with three other ex-servicemen to highlight the issue. The 3,700 mile journey is known as the most dangerous possible, but it’s not his first time at attempting something like this. He has previously crossed the Atlantic from the Caribbean to the Canaries and setting a World Record in the process.
He joined us in our main assembly to convey his message and made pupils really think about their actions when using and purchasing single use plastic. After the assembly he took the time to hold a short presentation along with a Q and A session for pupils from the school and Sixth Form, with some interesting and relevant questions from pupils and staff.
Matt said: “It was great to come back to the school and see how much the building has changed since I left, yet the ethos and values remain the same. The pupils have been fantastic and really took the message onboard about how important it is to start to change our habits before it gets too late!”
Mrs Litherland, Director of Sustainability who organised the visit commented: “Matt has inspired us to complete our ban on the use of single use plastic across the whole school. Already there are no plastic bottles on sale and now look to the parents and pupils to ensure reusable bottles are used. As a school committed to sustainability at all levels, Matt provided inspiration and showed a mindset change is possible. We will follow his endeavours as he motivates us all in this dangerous row across the Atlantic”
Mr Cuff, Head of Sixth Form and Deputy Headteacher, commented:
“It was great to see Matt back at his old school and present a powerful message to the students. We wish him well in his perilous journey across the Atlantic and in his fantastic work of raising awareness of the pollution of our oceans by plastic waste. Our Sixth Formers’ shall be closely tracking his incredible row across the seas!”
We are all looking forward to watching his progress on social media and the website, and hope to welcome him back after this epic journey with an update on how the school has risen to the challenge”.