The Marist Senior School - Green Flag Award

PROJECT

Why did you decide to undertake this project (i.e. Particular issue in school or part of a larger campaign) and what aims did you have starting out?

We had several aims/ projects. There was a growing consciousness in the school community about the importance of sustainability and the importance of the environment, with a determination to recycle, to collect our own water and to create our own garden.

ACTION

How was the project delivered and was it integrated into the curriculum?

The growing project is delivered largely through the ‘Growing Club’ held every Thursday.  Students from Years 7-11 are given the opportunity to look after their own garden and are taught the basics of garden maintenance. This is supported by the biology/science curriculum.  Eco-Schools lessons have been highlighted in all schemes of work, across all faculties.  New topics and schemes have been introduced, for example a non-fiction unit in Year 7 English called ‘Amazonia’ which explores environmental themes and PSHE units in KS3 all exploring sustainability.  Re lessons too use the eco message with students being reminded that they are guardians of the planet.  The Eco Schools project was launched by a speaker from the WWF.

CHALLENGES

Did you have to overcome any challenges to make the project succeed?

We had to purchase new recycling bins and elect eco monitors in each class.  This process was quite challenging as all students had to adapt to recycling all plastic and paper.

PUPIL LEADERSHIP

How did you get the children involved? How did they have ownership?

We elected a Sixth Form Environmental Representative.  She organised several competitions from ‘Design a Reusable Bag’ to ‘Take a Photo of the School Grounds’ to ‘Recycle Day’. Our School Action Team consists of eight members, all leaders from years 7-11.  These students wear green ‘E’ (Environmental) badges. They suggest what we should plant, how the eco notice board should be monitored and promote the eco message both in and out of school.  They have been in the press for planting trees for example. There are five students who are also helping out in the garden, earning points for their Duke of Edinburgh Award.  They help the younger girls and have developed skills planting and pruning. Last week they were pruning a grape vine.

RESULT

How have the children benefitted from the project and any other benefits for the school (reduced costs, cleaner school etc)?

The school was always clean and tidy but it has benefitted as the students take great pride in their own garden and look to see which plant has grown (on a daily basis!).  Students are more aware of their waste and littering as they have to place it in the large recycling bins themselves.

RESOURCES

Did you use any educational resources such as The Pod (If yes, indicate which activities), receive any support from parents, staff and outside agencies?  Did you have to source funding for the project?

We used The Pod resources to promote Eco-Schools competitions and our message.  We used their pencils, flags and stickers to generate excitement for Eco Schools and reward effort for the cause.  We have used Educational Resources from the Woodland Trust, Morrisons and Newsround.

LESSONS LEARNED

What advice would you give to schools that want to follow in your footsteps?

I would advise schools to pace yourself.  Students can get tired of the message.  We hurried to achieve our Green Flag, achieving it in a few months, but it can be hard to sustain interest in competitions and activities if they hear the words/slogan repeatedly.

NEXT STEPS

Has this project driven other Eco-Schools ideas and what is the school working on next?

We are now developing our garden so that we will be growing fruit and widening the vegetables we currently grow.  We are now looking at getting an annual budget from the school to maintain the garden and develop it still further.

Posted: Wed 10th March 2010

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