News Green Matters Working towards a sustainable school
Working towards a sustainable school
Working towards a sustainable school
A sustainable school starts with the idea of CARE :
- Taking care of yourself
- Taking care of each other – in the school and beyond both locally and in the wider world
- Taking care of the environment – locally and further afield
At Millfield Prep School we are taking part in the Eco-Schools campaign, which operates world-wide. In February 2006 we were awarded our first Green Flag and will retain this for two years. We will then be re-inspected to make sure we are containing our work towards becoming more sustainable. Permanent Green Flag status is only achieved after the third green flag.
Who Is Involved?
Every pupil and member of staff is actively involved. Group tutors play a key role in informing and motivating their group. Each group elects a Green Rep. who attends year meetings at least twice a term and may attend Green Council meetings as well.
What Do We Do?
There are six key areas:
- Recycling Our Waste
All office grade paper is collected in recycling bins in each class room and emptied when full into the nearest blue bin in the corridor. A rota is organised for each of these bins and the bags are placed in a red skip by the minibus parking area.
Cardboard is flat packed and collected in a shed at the back of the kitchens. It is taken to Millfield where it is shredded and composted.
Printer cartridges, old mobile phones, real cork, stamps, old spectacles and cases are all recycled. There are containers for collecting these in the Green Corner of the staff room.
Cans are collected and crushed and sold for scrap.
Plastic is collected in the shed at the back of the kitchens. It is sent to be recycled.
Green waste is composted along with waste from the stables.
- Saving Energy
Lights are switched off in any class room which is not in use. Windows and outside doors are kept closed in the winter. Low-energy light bulbs are used wherever possible. Some areas of the school have lights operated by sensors. The use of alternative sources of energy are being investigated e.g. a wind turbine.
- Saving Water
Taps automatically turn off. There are some water butts around the school for watering plants.
- Transport
Lift-sharing is encouraged. Minibus runs have been set up on some routes and it is hoped to extend this. Pupils and parents are encouraged to use more eco-friendly means of travelling in their everyday lives.
- Healthy Living
Our catering dept.actively promotes healthy eating through balanced menus and informative displays. Local produce is used where possible. All pupils have food tech. and healthy eating is very much part of the course. All pupils are encouraged to lead a healthy lifestyle through PSHE lessons. A wide range of sports promote a high level of physical fitness.
- Biodiversity
Pupils are encouraged to enjoy and respect our school grounds. We are now members of the Somerset Wildlife Trust and run two Watch clubs after school. There is also a Green club. A variety of different habitats are managed in co-operation with the grounds staff and several nature trails are being established.
- Global Perspectives
The school supports the education of Engadaye, a young boy from Lalibela in Ethiopia and keeps in touch through letters. Some pupils are taking part in an EU initiative on aspects of the environment. Throughout the year there are various fund raising events which support overseas and local charities. An awareness of what is going on in the wider world is promoted through the study of PSHE and Geography. There is a current affairs notice board and pupils are encouraged to contribute items of news.
Communication
There is an Eco noticeboard in the foyer of the languages floor with news items and information about current initiatives.
Green Matters is a regular item in the weekly newsletter promoting some aspect of the environment.
Every two years the school holds an Eco-day in the summer term when pupils attend a series of workshops and talks by visiting speakers or take part in an outdoor activity or visit of environmental interest.
From time to time there is an assembly by a group focusing on an environmental issue.