save 40 acres of rain forest in the Amazon Basin of South America.

The pupils raised the money by designing and selling T-shirts with a "Save Our Planet'' slogan and giving donations at an Earth Day celebration held at the school.

The T-shirt, designed by senior student Miss Alexander Storie, was the winning entry in a competition organised by the school's environment club.

After having the T-shirts printed, they were sold in Hamilton and at the school. A total of $400 was raised.

Students from all classes, who wore the T-shirts during an Earth Day celebration held at BHS about a week ago, also brought in donations totalling $1,000.

Head of the school's lower department Mrs. Lorna Andersen said the money would be sent off as soon as possible to the World Wildlife Fund's Guardians of the Amazon Project.

BHS students have been studying rain forests and their importance during the year as part of an ongoing environmental project, she said.

"I feel it is very important that we save the rain forest,'' 14-year-old Miss Storie said. "In geography we're learning how important rain forests are.'' Miss Storie said she believed the Earth Summit, held recently in Rio de Janeiro, "did not help much''. "They wasted a lot of paper,'' she said.

Seven-year-old Christie Hunter is also environmentally conscious.

She said that since becoming involved in environmental projects at BHS "I think of using both sides of paper and tell my mother about recycling''.

Manager of the Body Shop (Bda) Ltd. which sells environmentally-safe products, Mrs. Diana Antonition, praised students for their efforts at an assembly yesterday.

Mrs. Antonition, noting the "Green House'' effect, told the students that by saving 40 acres of rain forest they were ultimately saving Bermuda.

She also said it was up to youngsters of their age to educate older persons about using environmentally-safe products in the home, about recycling and other environmental issues.

For instance, she said, instead of using certain commercial drain cleaners, baking soda and vinegar could be used.

Mrs. Antonition, who supplied BHS with addresses of reputable foundations such as World Wild Life, also encouraged the students to participate in community clean-up efforts.

"I was really proud of the kids,'' she said when contacted later yesterday.

"If the school can get together and do this (save the rain forests), the community can.''