Bristol teacher trains to shoot polar bears to protect pupils
A TEACHER has trained to become a sharp shooter as she prepares for a treacherous school trip.
Esther Lawton, who teaches science at Bristol Brunel Academy, is leading a group of six students on an Arctic expedition this summer.
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Esther Lawton
She spent a day firearms training at Greystoke Castle, Penrith, under the watchful eye of Neville Howard.
Ms Lawton had to get to grips with a rifle and a shotgun due to a recent risk increase in polar bear movements in East Greenland.
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She trained using various guns including a 2.47 rifle and practised shooting in the prone, kneeling and standing positions. Polar bears tend to attack from about 40m, leaving little time to prepare.
The teacher said: "I can now load and reload a rifle so that should I have to take a shot I can be sure of what I'm aiming for and the consequences, should I miss.
"I also feel that the first shot has to be on target to kill just to be humane to an animal. I really don't want to hurt but may have to in order to protect my students and myself."
Madeline Canvin, a Year 11 student from St Bede's school, has also joined the expedition party.
To make the trip happen, there has been a huge fundraising effort by the team, which has so far raised £20,000. The three-week trip is due to start on July 9.
Comments
by NTSocialTroll
Friday, July 15 2011, 10:36PM
“Why not train in handgun techniques for the off chance some Somali tries to rape her in a dark alley way?
Why go out looking for trouble when its on your doorstep already?
@SamSamson
Shooting people because of politics is assassination, sounds like you want to join the Black Hand and start the genocide in Europe all over again. Id rather see you abandoned in the arctic with the polar bears.”
by brianblessed3
Thursday, June 23 2011, 11:29AM
“Regardless of any polar bears getting shot (which I agree probably won't happen), I still think it would be better to get a trained marksman to go along with them. Firing guns at stationary/moving targets is very much different from shooting something running around in real life - especially something that is attacking you. Pressure would definitely play a big factor.
Hopefully the next headline we see won't be "Teacher missed. Kids savaged."”
by SamSamson
Thursday, June 23 2011, 10:08AM
“The future teaches you to be alone
The present to be afraid and cold
So if I can shoot polar bears
Then I can shoot fascists
Bullets for your brain today
But we'll forget it all again
Monuments put from pen to paper
Turns me into a gutless wonder
And if you tolerate this
Then your children will be next
And if you tolerate this
Then your children will be next
Will be next
Will be next
Will be next
Gravity keeps my head down
Or is it maybe shame
At being so young and being so vain
Holes in your head today
But I'm a pacifist
I've walked La Ramblas
But not with real intent
And if you tolerate this
Then your children will be next
And if you tolerate this
Then your children will be next
Will be next
Will be next
Will be next
Will be next
And on the street tonight an old man plays
With newspaper cuttings of his glory days
And if you tolerate this
Then your children will be next
And if you tolerate this
Then your children will be next
Will be next
Will be next
Will be next”
by Marto_C
Thursday, June 23 2011, 8:48AM
“why is Wednesdays non news story Thursdays main news item ? I just don't understand why this new website is so bad.”
by shortie2377
Wednesday, June 22 2011, 5:02PM
“If the BEP came up with a better title or story none of these posts would be here.
Animals do need to be protected from humans.”
by bristollil
Wednesday, June 22 2011, 4:29PM
“janethomason
I really did not miss your point. Clearly there is a danger from polar bears or why would this teacher be taught how to kill one?
As for being an endangered species, I believe they are, but this is really beside the point. Why should "we" go on killing animals for absolutely no good reason. This is outrageous.
There must be better "opportunities" out there for our young people to broaden their horizons. No, this is not a good news story, however you try to dress it up.”
by Dog_Walker123
Wednesday, June 22 2011, 4:25PM
“AFAIK this isn't a trip to go polar bear hunting. The teacher has had firearms training to protect her children in case of attack. It is highly unlikely that they will be attacked and that the teacher would need to kill a bear.
It is fantastic that these children will get to go on this trip, an experience they will surely remember for the rest of their lives. It is also great that the trip hasn't been stopped because of over-zealous health and safety, rather it has been accepted that there is a risk and steps taken to mitigate that risk. Lets face it, if the polar bear does attack, it is highly unlikely that this inexperienced lady will get a shot on target.”
by Phurr
Wednesday, June 22 2011, 4:02PM
“@jjamarah
Rude no annoyed yes. I just looked at the link you gave and there is nothing there of any real use/interest. Given the costs surely there is something else they could have done which does not endanger Polar Bears.”
by shortie2377
Wednesday, June 22 2011, 3:21PM
“The Polar Bear IS on the threatened species list (US) and other countries are lobbying to make it an endangered specises.
If the teacher teaches anymore of these classes it shouldnt take long.”
by jjamarah
Wednesday, June 22 2011, 3:17PM
“I am amazed at how rude people can be on areas such as this. If you were a regular visitor to this site you would have read the previous posts regarding this trip and its purpose.
http://tinyurl.com/3khoc7e”