The Eco Committee

The Eco Committee is made up of children from Years 1 - 6 and normally we would all meet each week on Wednesday morning. This year, our focus has been Biodiversity, Litter and Waste. During our Environmental Review we found that Litter and Waste were the two areas we needed to make the  biggest change. We are super excited because we finally have finally been able to plant a hedgerow along the fence that separates the school field and the Early Years garden. This was a project that was scheduled a year ago, but due to Covid we were unable to complete it at that time.  We have increased our biodiversity by planting bulbs (donated by Asda) in pots in the pencil fence area and planted hedging, lavender and bulbs around our new Reading Pod. Keep checking back to see how we are getting on.

Crisp Packet Recycling

Last year, our Eco-Committee worked hard to organise and store the crisp packets.  This continues to be a task which is enjoyed because it is a simple thing that anyone can do to play their part in looking after our environment.

Battery Recycling Resumes...

In March 2022, we were able to resume our collecting of used batteries for recycling.  The children in school worked so hard that by the end of April a call was made to collect the main storage bin. This was replaced with another one which we are continuing to fill so keep bringing in your used batteries for us to recycle!

Crisp Packet Recycling

The Eco-Committee have agreed that we are going to start collecting crisp packets which can be recycled (but not in your home recycling). There are two bins where you can put your empty crisp packets, one in the hall and the other in the Green Zone. 

As part of our Spring 1 - Senses topic, the Early Years children made their own binoculars our of recycled materials, which they used in our bird watching station.  The children took part in the annual Big Bird Watch and when the results were in found that they had seen far less birds this year. They asked if they could put out food to attract more birds so we made feeders to hang in the trees. The children thought carefully about where to hand the feeders, not having them too close together so that "more birds can get the food."

Switch off Fortnight is a national campaign that brings awareness to our use of energy by ensuring we are using energy responsibly. This means that everyone will be encouraged to make sure electrical equipment, of any kind, is turned off when not in use.  Switch off Fortnight will run from 16th November to the 27th November. 

Some of our Eco-School work from the past...

School Grounds: Bulb planting in the Forest Classroom.

'The Friends' Committee gave the school 500 woodland bulbs to plant in the Forest Classroom to improve the habitat and regenerate the woodland. The Gardening Club children carefully planted daffodils, bluebells and snowdrops and we all look forward  seeing them flower in the spring!

Healthy Living

Gardening club planted runner beans and courgettes in the Spring term. When they were big enough they were planted out into the Bottle greenhouse to protect them from getting eaten by the deers. The children watered the plants and when we returned to school in September we had a bumper crop of runner beans which had grown out of the greenhouse roof!  Gardening club children picked the beans and took them home to share them with their families.

School Grounds  

In June the whole school took part in Outdoor Learning Day. All the classes engaged in a variety of learning activities outside which included phonics, maths, reading, PE and art. The sun was shining all day and everyone enjoyed their 'Outdoor Learning'! 

Waste

The school has just launched an exciting initiative to recycle batteries. We have taken delivery of a huge battery collection container and each child has been given a small collecting box to take home. We are proud to be a school that supports recycling and the children are all keen to help fill the container.   

Waste

The Eco Committee members every day empty their class fruit peeling bins into our compost bins. The created compost is used by Gardening Club and placed onto the school vegetable plot. Foundation Stage children also place grass cuttings into the bins.

School Grounds and Litter

Forest Classroom clean up

The Gardening club spent a busy lunchtime in the Forest Classroom collecting litter and tidying the area. We found lots of PE equipment which had come over the fence and were able to clean it and return it back to the PE cupboard. We also collected litter which was either recycled, if appropriate, or put into the rubbish bins. 

Planting bulbs for Spring: School Grounds

It had been discussed at an Eco Committee meeting that the school would look better if we had more flowers growing. Gardening Club took this on board and planted spring bulbs in planters which were then placed outside the Year 2 classrooms on a unused stone area. Hopefully, when the bulbs grow they will look lovely!

Recycling

The Eco Committee sorted their classes paper recycling boxes to check they contained only paper. They took out any cardboard, plastic and tissues and then emptied the paper into the big paper recycling bin. 

Transport

At Abbots Hall we have a 'Walking Bus' which runs every day before and after school. The 'Bus' walks the children to Asda car park where children are then collected by their adult. This initiative encourages children to walk to school rather than use a car and helps to reduce the amount of vehicles which are being driven close to the school, making the journey home to and from school safer for all

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