Sir David Attenborough Gives Personal “Green Light” to New Annual Conservation Day
Pupils at Harrogate Ladies’ College and Highfield (Duchy College from September 2026) are beginning a new tradition after receiving personal, handwritten correspondence from the legendary Sir David Attenborough.
Members of the Harrogate Ladies’ College and Highfield Eco Committee with letters from Sir David Attenborough
The school will hold its inaugural David Attenborough Day on Attenborough’s 100th birthday following a successful pupil-led campaign and a personal exchange with the iconic broadcaster and natural historian.
The initiative began in the Prep 4 classroom, where pupils were studying “Eco-Warriors” and the life of Sir David Attenborough. Captivated by his lifelong dedication to the planet, the class intended to launch a national petition via Change.org to create a public holiday for his 100th birthday on Friday, 8th May.
After sending letters to Sir David, the school received a surprise; handwritten responses from Attenborough himself. While he admitted he would be “extremely embarrassed” by a national day in his honour, Attenborough expressed his delight at the school’s proposal to hold an annual celebration, writing that he was “very happy” for them to proceed and hoped the event would be a “great success”.
To receive handwritten notes from Sir David is a wonderful feeling. It is amazing to know he is aware of our event and we are all very proud to be honouring such a wonderful human being.
Highfield’s Eco Committee representatives, Daisy and Georgia.
The upcoming David Attenborough Day is designed to be empower the next generation of eco-warriors to shape the school’s environmental impact. Activities for the celebration include a community bake sale with proceeds donated to a wildlife conservation charity, screening of wildlife documentaries and pupils creating endangered animal displays, providing the wider community with key facts, figures and how they can help conservation efforts.