Pupils relive penguin flavoured visit from Shackleton

Published on Wednesday 3 February 2010 21:49

PHOTOGRAPHS have been released of Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton at St Leonards School in St Andews to mark the 100th anniversary of his visit.

Shackleton is shown addressing staff and local dignitaries as he officially opened the school's new science laboratories in 1910.

The photographs, released by the private school, show pupils greeting him dressed as penguins in a nod to his adventures in Antarctica.

One hundred years on, his granddaughter followed in his footsteps by visiting the school.

Alexandra Shackleton was also greeted by children dressed as penguins.

Unlike Shackleton, who was reportedly unamused by the fancy dress, Ms Shackleton said she was pleased to see the children in costumes.

Shackleton was persuaded to open two science laboratories while on a speaking tour of the UK, which he hoped would raise funds for an expedition he was planning.

In 1901, he had accompanied Robert Falcon Scott on his Antarctic expedition on the Discovery. With Scott and one other, he trekked towards the South Pole in extreme conditions, getting closer to the Pole than anyone had come before. However, he fell seriously ill and had to go home.

Undaunted, he went on to lead his own expedition to Antarctica in 1908, and set a record by getting even closer. He was knighted on his return to Britain.

The year following his visit to St Leonards, his record was beaten when Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen reached the South Pole, followed by Scott, who died on the return journey.