PUPILS have been learning about their school's links with Captain Scott’s ill-fated expedition to the South Pole thanks to a visiting author from New Zealand.

Bournemouth School welcomed Joanna Grochowicz, who travelled to the UK to launch her first book, Into the White.

It tells the story of Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s Terra Nova expedition to Antarctica in 1910-1913.

Scott intended his party to be the first to reach the South Pole, but they were beaten by a Norwegian team led by Roald Amundsen. Scott and his party all perished on the return journey.

Joanna Grochowicz contacted Bournemouth School because, in 1910, it raised funds to buy one of Scott’s sledge dogs.

The dog was named Tig after Dr Fenwick, the school’s first headmaster, who was known as Tiger for the way he ferociously dealt with misbehaviour.

One of the school’s houses is still named after Captain Scott.

Ms Grochowicz’s book tells of the memorable characters who, with shaggy ponies and savage dogs, followed Scott into the unknown. They battled storms at sea, impenetrable pack ice, man-eating whales, crevasses, blizzards, bad food, extreme cold, hunger, agony and snow blindness.

Throughout the day at Bournemouth School, the author worked with all year seven and eight students to highlight the challenges of provisioning the expedition, the difficulties of getting to the ice and the harshness of the Antarctic environment.

She described some of the colourful characters on the trip and several lesser-known episodes, such as the mid-winter journey to a penguin rookery, in darkness and at temperatures of minus 50 degrees Celsius.

The author said: “The students were fantastic and I was impressed at some of the interesting questions and observations they made during the session.

“It's always interesting to see the ones that want to drill down for more detail or question the information they're presented with. I will definitely keep in touch and hope to visit again soon.”

Headmaster Dr Dorian Lewis said: “It was a privilege to have Joanna visit us. She spoke with knowledge and passion, ensuring that she captured the attention, imagination and interest of our students.

“Through her entertaining and interactive presentation she brought the expedition to life, highlighting the bravery, hardship and endeavour of Scott and his companions.

“Given our association with the Terra Nova expedition, we hope that this will be the first of many visits to the school.”