Bees on the Roof

When pupils at Riverside Secondary School return from their summer break, the first thing many of them do is climb the stairs to the roof. There, behind a protective fence, sit four white wooden hives that have become the unlikely pride of the school.

When pupils at Riverside Secondary School return from their summer break, the first thing many of them do is climb the stairs to the roof. There, behind a protective fence, sit four white wooden hives that have become the unlikely pride of the school.

The beekeeping project began two years ago, after a biology teacher, Ms Hannah Berg, noticed that the pupils could name dozens of digital applications but few wild insects. "I wanted them to see how a living system works," she explained. "You can describe pollination in a textbook, but it is far more convincing when you watch it happening on the plants outside the window."

The beekeeping project began two years ago, after a biology teacher, Ms Hannah Berg, noticed that the pupils could name dozens of digital applications but few wild insects. "I wanted them to see how a living system works," she explained. "You can describe pollination in a textbook, but it is far more convincing when you watch it happening on the plants outside the window."

Getting started was not straightforward. The school had to obtain permission from the local council, reassure anxious parents, and find a trained beekeeper willing to supervise. Eventually a retired engineer, Mr Samuel Ortiz, volunteered his services. He now spends every Wednesday afternoon with a group of fifteen pupils, teaching them how to inspect a hive calmly and how to recognise signs of disease.

Getting started was not straightforward. The school had to obtain permission from the local council, reassure anxious parents, and find a trained beekeeper willing to supervise. Eventually a retired engineer, Mr Samuel Ortiz, volunteered his services. He now spends every Wednesday afternoon with a group of fifteen pupils, teaching them how to inspect a hive calmly and how to recognise signs of disease.

Contrary to popular belief, cities can be surprisingly good places for bees. Parks, balconies and gardens offer a wide variety of flowers, and the absence of heavy farming chemicals means that insects often fare better than in the countryside. Last year the school’s hives produced almost sixty kilograms of honey, which the pupils bottled and sold at a local market. The money paid for new microscopes in the science laboratory.

Contrary to popular belief, cities can be surprisingly good places for bees. Parks, balconies and gardens offer a wide variety of flowers, and the absence of heavy farming chemicals means that insects often fare better than in the countryside. Last year the school’s hives produced almost sixty kilograms of honey, which the pupils bottled and sold at a local market. The money paid for new microscopes in the science laboratory.

The benefits go beyond science. Fourteen-year-old Amira Haddad admits she was terrified at first. "I thought I would be stung immediately," she said. "But Mr Ortiz taught us to move slowly and breathe evenly. Now I find it relaxing. When you stand among the hives, there’s nothing else to think about." Her teacher has noticed a similar change in several pupils who previously struggled to concentrate in class.

The benefits go beyond science. Fourteen-year-old Amira Haddad admits she was terrified at first. "I thought I would be stung immediately," she said. "But Mr Ortiz taught us to move slowly and breathe evenly. Now I find it relaxing. When you stand among the hives, there’s nothing else to think about." Her teacher has noticed a similar change in several pupils who previously struggled to concentrate in class.

The project has also attracted attention from the neighbourhood. Residents of the surrounding streets have started planting flowers on windowsills and in small yards, hoping to feed the bees. A local café now offers a honey cake made entirely from the school’s harvest, and a nearby primary school has asked for advice about starting its own hives.

The project has also attracted attention from the neighbourhood. Residents of the surrounding streets have started planting flowers on windowsills and in small yards, hoping to feed the bees. A local café now offers a honey cake made entirely from the school’s harvest, and a nearby primary school has asked for advice about starting its own hives.

Not everyone is convinced. A few neighbours worry about swarms, and some experts argue that placing too many hives in one area could create competition with wild bees. Ms Berg takes the criticism seriously. "We plan to limit ourselves to four hives," she said, "and we are planting wild flowers specifically for native species. The aim is to help nature, not to dominate it."

Not everyone is convinced. A few neighbours worry about swarms, and some experts argue that placing too many hives in one area could create competition with wild bees. Ms Berg takes the criticism seriously. "We plan to limit ourselves to four hives," she said, "and we are planting wild flowers specifically for native species. The aim is to help nature, not to dominate it."

For now, the buzzing on the roof shows no sign of stopping. The school is preparing a small exhibition for parents in October, where pupils will present their research on bee behaviour. If the enthusiasm in the corridors is any indication, it will be a crowded evening.

For now, the buzzing on the roof shows no sign of stopping. The school is preparing a small exhibition for parents in October, where pupils will present their research on bee behaviour. If the enthusiasm in the corridors is any indication, it will be a crowded evening.