EcoShimnaBlog

Chocolate Challenge

2009-10-18T10:49:00.000-07:00

To celebrate the new BBC nature documentary ‘Life’ the eco-group is running a weekly quiz on each episode – aired on Monday nights on BBC One 10:30PM or catch up on BBC iPlayer if too late. The first three winners with the most correct answers or selected at random will be presented with Fairtrade chocolate bars – any unclaimed chocolate bars will be devoured by E McVea – can’t really say fairer than that!

If possible guys write answers with your name and class details and place in the ecobox in the front foyer from Monday onwards.

Episode One – ‘Challenges of Life’
1: Approximately, how many plants and animals are supported in Earth?
2: Which animal was responsible for the “scars on the seabed” off the coast of Florida?
3: What have they invented?
4: What is Kenya famous for?
5: How many Cheetahs were present in the hunt?
6: Who has a projecting tongue, independent movement of eye and a changing camouflage?
7: What speed does its tongue shoot out at?
8: What do “Crab” eating seals eat?
9: How far can flying fish glide in order to avoid predators?
10: Who are responsible for the “strangely pitted rocks” in Boa Vista, central Brazil?
11: What protects the seeds of the nut palm?
12: Two triggers of the Venus fly trap must be hit within 10, 15, 20 or 25 seconds of each other to ensnare prey?
13: What wide eyed insect was filmed in this instance in Malaysia?
14: How many eggs was the Great Pacific Octopus carrying?
15: How long did it take to film the ‘Life’ series?

Red, Yellow, Green, Goooo

2009-09-30T16:36:00.000-07:00

The Eco & Wildlife group kicks in again this Tuesday 6th October, and every Tuesday thereafter. It’s after school from 3:30 – 4:30pm meeting in Derek Bailey’s room. We have a range of activities planned over the year including the usual tree and bulb planting, bird box building, construction of our mini-beast hotel, environmentally theme movies such as Al Gore’s ‘Inconvenient Truth’ and ‘The 11th Hour’ narrated by Leonardo Di Caprio (he is in it for a bit, ladies), fair-trade chocolate tasting and other fair trade events as well as representatives from the Green party speaking in politics on issues such as human rights.

All of which go towards our effort for the Green Flag.

Go Nuts for Free

2009-09-30T16:34:00.000-07:00

‘Red squirrel day at Tollymore Park’ Sunday 4th October from noon to 5pm.
It's National Red Squirrel week and as part of the Tollymore Squirrel Group’s and the Mourne Heritage Trust’s efforts to promote the conservation work undertaken in the park to conserve the threatened species Tollymore Park has laid on a wide range of activities in celebration. The day will give families an opportunity to take part in a fun filled day of activities including craft activities, mask making, and help in making a giant squirrel as well as two guided walks of squirrel woodland habitat (max 30 people) which take place at 2PM. Registration for the walks takes place at the Rangers Hut in Tollymore Park which is open from 10AM. People are asked to meet at the lower car park. Oh aye, it’s FREE!!!!

Boxes Go Leor

2009-09-09T14:33:00.000-07:00

After claiming all the computer equipment for our Tesco vouchers, there were some left over. We used them up by claiming lots of eco products, such as bird boxes, insect hotels etc. They have all come in kit form. Any eco warriors ready to help assemble them, please see Stephen Hanna or leave your name with Ellen McVea

It's Gone

2009-09-09T14:27:00.000-07:00

The composting toilet that is. It has gone off to Haughian House to be installed. Thanks a million to Pat Lenny and Martin McParland. Update soon.

It's come

2009-09-06T16:19:00.000-07:00

Our composting toilet for Haughian House that is. If you spotted the 'Made in Canada' box in the front hall, that was it. It will be on its way to the Head Road very soon to be installed, and then HH will be open for business and we can start planning trips.

Clunking Relatives

2009-07-26T12:12:00.000-07:00

I am now related to an Obama 'Cash for Clunkers' replacement car. My US nephew car, called Turtle, has been recycled, and he has been replaced by a brand new Scion, called Silver Cat. The Scion was funded by Mr Obama's rebate when you turn in a 'clunker', that is an ancient car which does fewer than 15 mpg. The real reason behind the scheme is to boost the car industry, and isn't really for eco reasons. The greenest option is to keep driving a car until it collapses, but I have to say poor old Turtle was nearing collapse and really needed to be replaced. The green gains are that the Scion is much more fuel efficient and Turtle's bits will be recycled.

Eco Cheesecake

2009-06-26T13:39:00.000-07:00

I got a fabulous surprise on Tuesday - a plateful of delicious, organic, chocolate cheesecake confected by Stephen as a reward for our wonderful Eco group who have worked hard all year on bringing to life the plans for our grounds. Thank you so much.

We are a Gold Award School

2009-06-17T11:56:00.000-07:00

A wonderful surprise today! A beautiful wooden plaque arrived from the Woodland Trust, conferring on us the honour of becoming one of their first Gold Award Schools for the tree planting our Wildlife Group and Eco Group have been doing throughout the year. thanks in particular to Derek Bailey, Stephen Hanna and to Jean Forbes of our Board of Governors, who drew up our grounds plan.

Bogs Away

2009-06-12T14:22:00.000-07:00

After ages of trying to work out the logistics of installing Thunderboxes at Haughian House, we got an email from a much more normal supplier of composting toilets, and we are now going to get ourselves one of them. The composting toilet will fit neatly into one of the wee outhouses joined onto the cottage, and will be convenient and easy to manage. The scouting party heads out next Wednesday to measure up, and we hope to take delivery in July. It would be really wonderful if we could have students out and using the cottage from September. We'll also be putting up the solar lights and fitting the new water butt. A team of Martin McParland, Pat Lenny and Robbie Mulholland at taking on the job.

Holiday Homes for Worms

2009-05-24T11:37:00.000-07:00

Our two wormeries, who eat up the good bits of our food waste from the canteen, need a holiday home for two months. They need to find families who will feed them regularly and look in on them to see that they are enjoying their holiday. Advice and instructions are available about what they like and don't like. Anyone able to offer them a placement should speak to Stephen Hanna or Ellen McVea.

Carbon Challenge

2009-05-15T11:35:00.000-07:00

Years 9 and 10 took part in the Carbon Challenge, revisiting the carbon footprint of the college and working out what they could do to reduce it. One group worked on drama activities to draw attention to the issues; another group worked on the maths behind the issues; a third group worked on the science. There will be follow up, and Shimna will appear on a Carbon Challenge website where we can post the measures we take and our progress. Lots of the work we have done already for our Green Flag will fit the bill.

Matthew and Rebecca do us Proud

2009-04-22T15:20:00.000-07:00

Matthew Rooney and Rebecca Boardman did us proud at the Down District Council speech making competition at Strangford Road. Our two delivered an excellent account of all the eco work at Shimna. We didn't win this time, but our speeches were based on a huge range of eco work done by our students themselves, rather than suggestions as to what other people should do. We are very happy to lead by example.

Minnesota Red Squirrels

2009-04-22T15:17:00.000-07:00

I kept hearing from Minnesota natives that they had the occasional red squirrel. Well, I now have evidence of my own to indicate that the red squirrels they mean are really grey ones with a bit of hair dye. It's hard to explain, but when you see them in the flesh, it is very obvious that those auburn creatures are clearly related to greys and not our delicate wee reds. Not that I wish them any harm of course!

The Goats are Coming

2009-03-24T11:23:00.000-07:00

No, don't panic. They aren't really, but our new carpet is going to be made with 80% goat hair fibre bonded to 100% jute backing. Both of these raw materials are naturally renewable (rather than industrially recycled) and harvestable. No waste water is produced during its manufacture. Carpets manufactured from natural fibres acrively imiprove indoor air quality making school environments healthier for children and staff alike. Natural goat hair offers one of the highest insulation values of all natural fibres, so we can turn down our thermostat 1 degree and save 10% on our heating costs. We are very pleased with ourselves!

The Worms are Here

2009-03-24T11:22:00.001-07:00

Here and installed. More news when they start eating things!

The Worms are Coming

2009-03-22T09:10:00.000-07:00

Our wormery will arrive next week! So that sorts out their Mourne diet! Great excitment. volunteers to help with worm-minding please let me know. The worms will also be looking for holiday accommodation for the summer!

The Fife Diet

2009-03-22T08:55:00.001-07:00

Did anybody notice the winners of the "Best Ethical Contribution" in the Observer Food Awards, publicised in this week's Observer Food Monthly? I'm sure we should be doing this round here. What could be better than the Mourne diet? The Fife people challenged each other to eat local produce for a year and report back on what is possible. The results are a Fife diet that consists about 80% of local produce, with items allowed which have no local seasonal equivalent such as: lemons; coffee; tea; chocolate (yo!); spices (and I would have to hope for bananas). The theory is celebrating local goodness, not 'an exercise in self denial'. The Fife group says that some of them 'dabble in gardening', so you don't have to commit to the Good Life. The good news is that the group report almost halving their shopping bill, and the challenge is they report doubling time on food preparation. Eating seasonally becomes essential, and the www.fifediet.co.uk allows the group to share their recipes in order to achieve this. Could we do it?

Updating the Grounds Map

2009-03-06T13:23:00.000-08:00

The Ulster Wildlife Trust, Jean Forbes, Stephen Hanna, Derek Bailey and the Wildlife Group all had a hand in this week's update of our grounds plan. Jean reported back to the Board of Governors estates committee, and it was great to hear what has been achieved through thoughtful planting and the addition of bat boxes, bird boxes etc. Even better to hear the new plans for future action. All students were asked to consider joining up on a Tuesday afternoon and contributing some time for planting etc.

So they Were

2009-03-06T13:19:00.000-08:00

EAGA sent back a message that our students were a tribute to to their parents and their school. We were presented with a beautifully wee crystal trophy which is now on display in our cabinet in the hall. Our group came back with application forms for next year, and also ideas for arts based additions to our grounds.

Off to EAGA

2009-03-02T11:32:00.000-08:00

Four of our students will be travelling with volunteer staff member Jeanette Lovell to the EAGA celebration which had to be cancelled last month. The students will be taking photos of the recycling bins we bought with the grant we won. They will also be taking evidence of all our recent Eco work. The purpose of the event is to celebrate the groups like ours which have already won a grant and to launch the grants scheme for 2009. I'm sure our students will be inspirational.

The Eco House that Gerry Built

2009-02-18T12:41:00.000-08:00

9B, with the help of Gerry and Carol, have built from kit an eco dollshouse,, complete with water butt, solar panels, recycling bins, wind turbine etc. The house has already provoked lots of comment. The building materials are quick growing rubberwood, which is easily replaced.

Going Green

2009-02-17T10:52:00.001-08:00

• Co-chair of Green Party gives talk to our politics students – On Thursday 5th February Dr. John Barry (QUB) gave a presentation ‘Green politics in Northern Ireland and beyond.’ By all accounts it was enjoyed by both Paddy and the students – and with recent comments from current minister for the environment – let’s hope that seeds of change are allowed to continue to flourish

Good Editing

2009-02-17T10:51:00.000-08:00

• A big thank you goes to Emily, Danas, Josh and Glenn from Derek Bailey’s year ten science group who prepared the ‘environmental science in the news’ display for open day. They sorted through four months of newspaper clippings and put together a brilliant piece of work for display in the science corridor along with presenting the work undertaken by those of the wildlife group. Emily deserves particular merit and watch out Piers Morgan – there is an editor in the making there, great work guys!

A Good Example

2009-02-17T10:50:00.000-08:00

• Shawlands Academy, Glasgow – setting the standard to strive for. Read the story of how small really is beautiful illustrating some of the activities we can take part in helping Shimna become sustainable.

Click here

Caught in the Act

2009-02-16T14:00:00.001-08:00

At a recent staff training day, three staff members were presented with a bar of Green and Black's for their eco habits. Derek Bailey was presented for spontaneous litter picking on his way up a corridor; Rose Murray was presented for telling 9b they should turn off the radiator rather than open the window when they said they were too hot; Gervaise Mullan was presented for telling 9b that he would proofread his reports online so that be using up paper making additional printouts. 9B hopes that they enjoy their chocolate and inspire others.

Sustainable V'Cenza

2009-02-13T13:26:00.000-08:00

A level student V'Cenza Cirefice is in the middle of her work experience with Sustainable NI, and year 10 and 9B, the Eco Group and the Wildlife Group will be delighted to hear that everyone in V'Cenza's workplace has heard of the good Eco work going on at Shimna. Fame at last!

Look what Stephen Found

2009-02-09T13:31:00.000-08:00

Stephen Hanna keeps a good eye out on eco sites and found this notice of our grant for the Haughian Cottage. We still have some planning to do to make sure that the composting toilets are installed in a way which will meet the approval of Mr Haughian himself. Watch this space....

Showing off to EAGA

2009-01-28T03:02:00.000-08:00

Representatives of our Eco group are heading to Cookstown next week to show off our project to EAGA, and to explain what we have done with the money - bought our outdoor recycling bins.

Homes for Bats

2009-01-28T02:58:00.000-08:00

The refurbishment of the bat boxes is complete and the bat boxes have been put up again. We hope those bats appreciate the concern for their comfort!

Spring Shoots

2009-01-28T02:55:00.000-08:00

The Wildlife Group reports that the spring shoots are showing. All that good planting is coming to life.

Caught in the Act

2009-01-25T13:57:00.000-08:00

On the last staff training day, 9B arranged to present Derek Bailey with a bar of Green and Black's in recognition of him picking up corridor litter as he went along, giving a very good example to the rest of us. On the next training day, two more staff members will be presented. Watch this space to see who and what for!

Bit of Broadcast Excitment

2009-01-25T13:49:00.000-08:00

Hugh Curran, a student of Media Studies, heard about our red squirrel monitoring through the Environmental Link. He made contact with Jean Forbes of our Board of Governors, and both came in to record for broadcast. They interviewed Georgia Forde, Matthew Rooney, Nathan Allan and Timothy Annett, along with environmental bursary winner Stephen Hanna. In the event, the interview went way beyond squirrels and the group discussed our whole Green Flag bid and the experience of the students who all live in the countryside, three of them on farms. All of the Eco group in 9B were delighted to find somebody out there who was so interested in their environmental plans.

We're going Bats

2009-01-06T15:52:00.000-08:00

Two bat boxes have arrived which will be going up in our grounds. The Wildlife Group will be keeping an eye on them for residents.

Welcome Back Janet

2008-12-16T11:27:00.000-08:00

Janet McIlVenna of Down District Council came in today to visit 9 Bearnagh to add to their knowledge of environmental work in the area of waste disposal. She gave a talk, showed slides, answered questions and led the class in a quiz. Janet will return in the new term to work with the class again and to meet up with the Eco Group. Upwards and onwards!

Award for Stephen

2008-12-16T11:22:00.000-08:00

Everyone was delighted with the Award for Commitment to the Environment went to Stephen Hanna, staff member, who has joined in the work of our Eco Group. Stephen has looked through all the work already undertaken by the group over the past three years, and is helping us to focus on the work ahead for our Green Flag. The Award is made each year by governor Jean Forbes. So far the award has gone to students who are working or studying on environmental issues. This year we decided that it was right to honour a staff member who does both!

Eco Decoration

2008-12-12T02:57:00.000-08:00

As well as our Eco friendly, recycled cardboard Christmas trees, courtesy of the Woodland Trust, we have decorated out canteen this year with the free Christmas wrapping paper distributed by the Guardian. The paper has been commissioned from a range of designers and celebrities and each one of them sparks off controversy about the meaning of Christmas.

Recycled Christmas Trees

2008-12-09T12:31:00.000-08:00

Oour Eco group spent today's meeting putting together a pair of Christmas trees supplied by the Woodland Trust and made from recycled cardboard. The trees come with recycled cardboard baubles and look great! Our Eco Warriors also put up a series of seasonal posters in the canteen, which came free with the Guardian newspaper, and which represent the ideas of various artists and celebrities about Christmas. Look out for them!

Wildlife Group goes Planting

2008-11-26T11:10:00.000-08:00

The Wildlife Group has been out planting bulbs and native species trees. Their next step is to organise some temporary fencing to alert the grounds maintenance team to the baby trees and growing plants.

Watch Out

2008-11-26T11:07:00.000-08:00

9 Bearnagh has just launched its Eco campaign in support of the Green Flag Group. If the Green Flaggers need a survey done or a campaign launched, 9 Bearnagh will do the leg work. So far they plan to focus on making sure our outdoor recycling starts to really work. They also want to do some research to see if it really matters if we don't take the tops off our plastic bottles before we recycle. They will be organising the 4.00pm check on teachers' rooms and will check our fuel use and the separation of our indoor rubbish. Watch out!

Eco Group Tuesdays

2008-11-16T16:34:00.000-08:00

Our Eco Group now meets on Tuesdays in room 121 to fire ahead and win our Green Flag. Be there!

Yo We've Won our Silver Award

2008-11-11T16:24:00.000-08:00

I am delighted to announce that we have just won our Silver Eco Schools Award. The Award is of course for our wholeschool efforts, but special mention must be made of year 10 who did all the surveys and checking and auditing last term. We will soon present the Award to Shimna and put a framed copy up in the entrance hall so that everyone who comes into the college will know the high value we put on preserving our environment. We are delighted that staff member Stephen Hanna is coming on board to work with our Eco Group to put together the bid for our Green Flag. Well done everybody.

Sixth Form Environmental Conference

2008-10-29T10:55:00.000-07:00

A very important environmental event took place in September, the third annual conference on Environmental Change, for senior students of three Mourne schools : St Malachy’s High School, Castlewellan, Shimna Integrated College Newcastle and Kilkeel High School. Each year global issues are studied through local examples, and discussion groups look at our responsibilities as individuals.

The conference is organized by Newcastle 2000 Community Association, Northern Ireland Environment Link and Mourne Heritage Trust. The event was held in Newcastle Centre by kind permission of Down District Council.

The topics convered this year were Climate Change and Coastal Erosion; Energy from the sea – the turbine in the Strangford Narrows; Green building technology- the example of the proposed Gateway Centre in Newcastle; energy from the biomass- an opportunity for our farmers; the world food crisis and how we could respond.

Environmental studies are an important part of the curriculum in all three schools. Led by the Geography Teachers, students of these schools are beginning an annual monitoring of change in our coastal areas, to link with the on-going research of Professor Orford .

Squirrel Out of Sync

2008-10-29T10:00:00.000-07:00

Half term gave me time to think about everything that went unblogged. A bad omission was the first sighting of a red squirrel since our feeding boxes went up. Georgia handed in the first report about two weeks ago. Those boxes actually seem worthwhile now. Last week's Observer magazine had an entire feature on red squirrels, and some rather more violent ways of keeping down the numbers among the greys. Other good news is that some red squirrels seem to be developing immunity to the dreaded squirrel pox spread by the greys. Keep an eye out for more red squirrel sightings, and pick up a report sheet outside the technology room. Be as exact as you can about where you have seen the squirrel.

Thunderboxes

2008-10-07T15:47:00.000-07:00

We think we have finally found a solution to the toilet problem that prevents us making full use of the Haughian House. Thunderboxes is a company that makes ecofriendly loos which don't need to be on the water main. I am in the middle of trying to find some grant money to fund one.

EAGA Visit

2008-10-03T14:48:00.000-07:00

We had a visit from EAGA this week, that's the organisation which granted us the money for the outdoor recycling bins. Now we know the next stage - we have been given a noticeboard to fill up with images of our Eco project. In November, we will be asked to bring our noticeboard to the awards ceremony in Belfast, where we will meet the eight other organisations which received a grant. Onwards and upwards - there is still a huge amount of awareness raising to do if we are to get the outdoor recycling operating successfully.

Slow but Steady Progress

2008-09-19T15:16:00.001-07:00

We are indeed making slow but steady progress at the outdoor recycling. First week back, we were useless - mixed rubbish in both blue and black bins. However, after a bit of consciousness raising and kicking ourselves, the second week has produced a huge improvement. Keep kicking, and telling yourself - blue bin, bottles and cans. Bottles and Cans Bottles and Cans Bottles and Cans Bottles and Cans Bottles and Cans

Squirrel Boxes Progress

2008-08-15T13:37:00.000-07:00

Gerry Magowan in technology, and Jean Forbes, governor, have been working hard on our red squirrel feeders and two are nearing completion. We will be looking for volunteers to keep them stocked with food, and the boxes clean and free from squirrel pox. Throughout our project, we have been supported by George Hanna, retired forester, who has been an invaluable source of local information on red squirrels, and the successful project already underway in Tollymore Forest.

Gardening Next

2008-07-21T10:30:00.000-07:00

We have just received our Level one gardening certificate from the Royal Horticultural Society. We have long standing plans for our grounds and plenty of work has been competed over the years, for example the tree planing which gives us the grove beside the bendy fence. The next step will be the creation of our food garden, and you can watch this space to see how we get on.

Red Squirrel Feeders

2008-06-20T12:57:00.000-07:00

We have taken delivery of our first red squirrel feeder and Gerry has taken it to bits to make a pattern which we will be able to use to make some more. Watch this space.

Roll Out the Blue Bins

2008-06-20T12:49:00.000-07:00

Danas Kurmis, Daniel Allen and Daniel Irwin joined Robbie Mulholland in making the final decisions as to where the new blue recycling bins will go. When next year's term starts, the bins, and the new black landfill bins will all be in place. The good thing about the new bins is that they will work on the same recycling rules as our blue home bins.

Red Squirrel Triumph

2008-05-30T13:54:00.000-07:00

Anne Carlin, who is always the first person into school in the morning, met a red squirrel in our grounds! She says there is usually a group of greys playing round our gates when she arrives to open up. This is really good news, because our year 8s are heading off to Tollymore in June to find out about our red squirrel population, and to set up feeding boxes which will keep up the food supplies for the reds, even if the greys are bigger and stronger and eat up most of what is available naturally.

Big Boxes

2008-05-07T15:44:00.000-07:00

Those big boxes in the hall are the new outdoor recycling bins arriving. They are the bins won by year 9 for all their fantastic eco work over the last two terms. It's really good to see such a tangible outcome.

Tucson, Arizona

2008-05-04T10:08:00.000-07:00

As Haughian House is one of our main eco focuses this year, as we work to conserve the cottage as a really useful venue for art activities and for our expedition groups, from now on, this ecoblog will report on all the visits to and work on the cottage. The cottage is also a fantastic place to bring our many international visitors. Our new lease began on my birthday, 15th April, and our first international visitors stayed at the cottage the very next weekend. The visitors came from Tucson, Arizona, and have connections with a drama performance which will be visiting our students later in the term.

Converting Other Schools

2008-05-01T06:46:00.000-07:00

Iana Rodgers and Karen Malone made an excellent contribution to the Down District Council competition on waste and carbon footprints. The girls gave an account of the eco work done by the students who went before them, and of the tasks they had undertaken to follow in their reducing carbon footprints. They didn't win, but what was really good was that they were approached by an enthusiastic teacher from the winning school, asking for contacts with the Eco Schools system so that their students can also follow in the carbon reducing footsteps.

Meet the Soccer Fans

2008-04-13T15:15:00.000-07:00

Now that year 9s has finished checking up that teachers are finding it easy to follow the guidelines about an eco-friendly end to the school day, some volunteers are checking the soccer fixtures for Newcastle Football Club on our pitch. The idea is to draw the attention of spectators to the problem of plastic bottles throughout the grounds, even though other kinds of littering have been much improved. Our volunteers will encourage the fans to use the bins, and will tell them about our plans to try to fund proper recycling bins for outside. Just as we have been finding even more bottles at the end of lunchtime now that the weather is better, we bet we find more at the summer season matches.

He's arrived

2008-02-16T13:17:00.001-08:00

Dr Matthew Martin of St. Mary's College, Queen's University has arrived to work with our year 9 eco warriors. He is attending every class catching up with all the research already completed and the plans laid, and the class are learning from him how to use writing to get something done about the issues their research is turning up. Watch out for: blogs; letters to the press; letters to politicians; scripts for assembly; notes to staff; notices for form classes; posters in classrooms and all sorts of other pieces of writing.

9 Donard are watching you.

2008-02-13T14:41:00.000-08:00

Volunteers from 9 Donard set up an eco patrol at 4.00pm today, the time at which the electricity tarif goes up. They have the data which reveals who left their room in eco-friendly fashion, and who forgot!

Wee Bin Hoke

2008-02-06T09:10:00.000-08:00

We completed a very minor bin hoke compared to last year's marathon. We examined all the blue bins and grey bins for contamination and for recyclable items headed for landfill by mistake. 9Donard found that most blue bins were being used properly and that very few were contaminated. A much greater problem was that in many cases grey bins contained plastic drinks bottles which could have been recyled if they had gone into the right bin. 9Donard is now setting about channelling messages to all students and all teachers with reminders about the use of the bins. The next big job is to see how we can get ourselves recycling bins for outside and for the canteen.

Eco Progress

2008-02-01T15:01:00.000-08:00

Year 9 are going great guns with their work for their Silver Award. Iana and Karen staffed a stall on Open Day, raising awareness with leaflets, and testing people on their quiz. They displayed products made with recycled materials: schoolbags, pencils, rulers, pencil cases, pens and also bio friendly washing powder. The classes have audited taps for drips, switches for wasted electricity, bins for contaminated litter, food for excess food miles etc. One class has decided to focus on challenging local fast food restaurants which use plastic bags and polystyrene boxes. One class has decided to try to support teachers in being eco-friendly at the end of a school day. One class has decided to focus on closing the recycling gap and encouraging local shops to stock products made from recycled materials. They might even take to selling stationery products themselves.

Steps Forward

2008-01-19T17:14:00.000-08:00

We completed our work for the Bronze Eco Award two years ago, and now we are working for the Silver Award. In that two years there has been a huge change in the number of students reporting that their parents/guardians either have already got a wind turbine or solar panels, or have looked into it or are planning to get one or other. Even larger numbers have instituted family policies of turning off the tap while you brush your teeth, changing to low energy light bulbs, replacing car journeys with share lifts, bus trips or walking. Everyone seems to be working at improving their recycling habits and some are composting. One thing that we thought might have changed is the number of people cycling more. People report that they don't yet understand how the cycle lanes in Newcastle will work when the roadworks are finished. We are also horrified that the glass and cardboard recycling in Newcastle may have to stop at Easter. Of course, all this is hearsay so far. Just wait until we complete our surverys and audits!

Another Year, Another Push

2008-01-18T15:48:00.000-08:00

the big news for 2008 is that year 9 are going to take forward our Eco Schools agenda by applying for our Silver Award. Every single student in year 9 is working away on lists of ideas leading to a focused action plan. We will be digging up the results of all the surveys from our successful Bronze Award. The Silver Award requirements ask us to move the focus beyond the school and into the community, so you can expect to be interviewed and monitored at home!

Haughian House New Windows

2007-12-26T09:15:00.000-08:00

We have just been able to send off pictures for Christmas to Mr Haughian of the beautiful new windows. The windows were made and installed by our artist in residence, Marty, and will keep the place snug this winter. We have been searching the special offers on composting toilets and solar lighting ready for the next stage of making the cottage usable for a wider range of people. The new batch of Duke of Edinburgh groups will be setting off soon to start their training there.

My Eco Fairy Lights

2007-12-26T09:11:00.000-08:00

They really worked - a very wee solar panel on a stick kept them twinkling (well it might have been flickering) through Christmas. I've been warned by those who know better, that the secret is to make sure I keep them going year after year to make up for the carbon cost of manufacturing them.

Planting Holly for Christmas

2007-12-20T12:50:00.000-08:00

As part of our science department project with Wild Watch, lots of new native species trees have been planted out this week, including lots of seasonal holly. We look forward to working with Wild Watch again next term, with more hedge mix plants coming.

Bats and Hedgehogs

2007-11-30T13:49:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, along with invaluable support from the Ulster Wildlife Trust, our batboxes and hedgehog hides were installed. slowly but surely our grounds plan is being rolled out. Jean Forbes made out the detailed and challenging plan, and by bits and pieces, lots of different people are contributing to bringing it ti life. More action soon on the daffodil drift which is planned for along the wall, just inside the main gate. See Derek Baliey if you would like to be involved in carrying out the work.

what I'm not good at

2007-11-17T16:12:00.000-08:00

I'm not good at houses, but this weekend I have tried to move a stage more ecofriendly by changing the rest of the light bulbs to low energy ones, and sticking heat reflectors down behind the radiators. Changing bulbs is so simple, it's the centrepiece of jokes, and the radiator panels' only technology is the double sided tape, but you wouldn't believe the mess I made. One disappointing thing is that I ended up sending away for the bulbs and the radiator panels. Does anybody know where to buy them within walking distance? i ordered them all through the Shimna website and Natural Collection, which gives a good percentage to our fundraising.

New Trees for Planting

2007-11-09T13:52:00.000-08:00

Two new packs of trees have arrived, and our eco group will be organising the planting. With two batches to plant, any offers of help would be most welcome. Native species bulbs will also be going in soon. In all our work on the grounds, we are following the detailed plan set out by Jean Forbes of the Board of Governors. There is a long way to go, but real progress is also in evidence.

Haughian House Revisited

2007-11-05T15:59:00.000-08:00

After rumbling along for several years with our expedition groups and occasional visitors from staff and parents' council members, we are ready to move to a new phase where we undertake the work necessary to make the cottage more accessible to a wider range of users. We are determined to do an eco-friendly job of work. First move has been the new windowframes, individually made in wood by Marty. Next thing is to sort out the power and water situation so that people with other purposes than roughing it will be able to enjoy the place. We have been searching websites for the best composting toilet and and ways to power some lighting. Any help, advice or suggestions eagerly welcomed.

A Little Bit of Effort wth a Spade

2007-10-19T12:46:00.000-07:00

We have been a bit low on activity on the eco front. However, one of the activities undertaken with recent visitors from Holland was to plant out crocus bulbs in the shape of a Star of David, to celebrate work done by our students on the Holocaust. We really need to get active again. The crocuses will be great, but we could be doing more.

Rumours of Eco Gardening

2007-06-24T05:59:00.000-07:00

There is a rumour that we will have an eco gardening club next year. Eco friendly plans have already been drawn up for our grounds and the club will be a real step forward to making those plans come true. We haven't a huge reserve of gardening expertise among the staff, and would love to hear from families or friends who could help with a bit of advice, labouring, supervision, 'adopting' one of the garden projects on the plan.

Wild Roundabout

2007-05-19T09:20:00.000-07:00

The next time you go round the roundabout at the top of the town in Newcastle, have a look at our bed of Basque wild flowers, planted last year by a group of our students, Janet McIlvenna of Down District Council and EcoSeeds of Strangford. I well remember that drizzly Saturday morning during out HallowE'en holidays. Its wonderful to see the flowers blossom through to their second year. I wonder how the twin wild flower bed in the Basque Country is doing? Best of all is that our own EcoSeed, Morgan himself, is blossoning again and looking good.

EcoSpeakers

2007-05-04T12:43:00.000-07:00

Well done to Sophie Hennessey and Catriona Kirwan, who presented their ideas on the environment to Janet McIlvenna of Down District Council.

Litter Picking Visitors

2007-05-02T16:02:00.000-07:00

We had some very welcome visitors today. Participants at a conference in the Slieve Donard Hotel undertook volunteering activities in the local area for one of their conference sessions. We all do our best to keep Shimna litter free, but our windy site means that inaccessible litter gets wedged in the perimeter fence and our visiting volunteers offered to hoke it out. We are very grateful for the help, to our visitors and also to Deborah McDowell who organised the event.

Trees Planted

2007-03-23T12:23:00.000-07:00

Year 8 science students today planted out twelve new trees, wild cherries in the grove by the wiggly fence, alder with their feet near the pond and birch on the hll towards the church. Teams of waterers and tree minders will look after the saplings as they grow. More trees will come in the autumn, and will be planted out according to the land scaping design drawn up for us by governor Jean Forbes.

Cardboard

2007-03-03T11:31:00.000-08:00

We have started to see real benefits from all that bin-hoking. Remember that we found that our biggest single waste substance was cardboard? and that we were able to have the cardboard recycled by the local interchurch project? Well, Mick has been keeping an eye on the effects and we filled four bins fewer with landfill rubbish just by the action alone of recycling the cardboard. Benefits all round. We will be able to save money next year by hiring fewer bins. The interchurch project will gain the proceeds they earn from suppyling the cardboard to the recyclers, and everyone benefits from less landfill.

Recycling Mobile Phones

2007-02-13T15:18:00.000-08:00

There is a huge heavy box waiting in the hall to be collected by the carriers. It's full of exhausted mobile phones which students and head of physics, Alasdair Spence, have collected for recycling. The benefits are as big as the box. The phones will be reused where possible, and recycled safely when re-use isn't possible. Because each recylced phone raises money, Shimna science department will also benefit. So many of us love our phone, so many people get new ones for Christmas and so much damage is done if the phones are just thrown away. This has been a really worthwhile project.

Recycling cardboard

2007-01-31T15:04:00.000-08:00

One of the surprises of our bin hoke was that heavy cardboard was the largest element of waste from our kitchen. In addition, our new interactive whiteboards, installed last week, left behind a huge amount of cardboard. Jean Forbes, one of our governors, saw the cardboard out the window, emailed Joe McMahon of the Interchurch Recycling Project. Next day, all of our cardboard was on its way to be recycled, and a regular pick-up has been organised for Thursdays. Fabulous! Thanks a million to Jean, Joe and the project.

Rechargeable Batteries

2007-01-28T08:47:00.000-08:00

Has anyone tried USB rechargeable batteries? They are supposed to appeal people who mean to but never get round to managing a recharger. They work by recharging through any USB port. We have a few out among us being trialled. Let us know if you have used them and how you find them in terms of useability and efficiency.

Big Smell

2007-01-16T15:10:00.000-08:00

That's us: Michael from Second Nature and student volunteer Stephen; Joanne Anderson; Alison Bahadoor; Ellen McVea; the whole of year 9. We hoked everything out, we sorted, we weighed, we recorded the paper, glass, cardboard, glass, plastic, tins and the residual and then.....we put it all back in again. One ordinary bin and one recycling bin came out and one half full ordinary bin and two recycling bins went back, so that gives us a preliminary idea of what has to be done. Down District Council has provided us with plenty of new recycling bins so that we can have full coverage throughout the college. Year 9 are going to spread the message throughout the rest of the college, and then we just need to do it! The measurements will be put together by year 9 geography classes and passed on to Second Nature to add to our Carbon Footprint measurement. Milliions of thanks to Michael, who took charge of us.

Big Bin Hoke

2007-01-14T08:15:00.000-08:00

With Michael of Second Nature to help us, year 9 geography students are undertaking a Big Bin Hoke on Tuesday 16th January. The students will hoke the rubbish out of the bins, will sort it, weigh it and measure it and analyse how we currently manage our waste. The results will allow us to make an action plan so that in future we are recycling and composting to the maximum.

An Eco new year with trees

2006-12-30T16:47:00.000-08:00

A growing start to the new year as we plant out our twelve new trees: four alder; four wild cherry; four birch. Two important displays also go up. In January you can see the plan for our grounds now that the flood defences are thoroughly working. You will also have a chance to see and comment on the plans for the wonderful new Mourne Gateway Centre. Find an opportunity to add your comments, because the plan goes to Down District Council at the end of the month and EVIDENCE of support for the building is essential. Check out: the growing roof; the reed-filtered swimming pool; the gym; the cinema; the climbing wall etc. You will find the plans for our grounds and for the Mourne Gateway on the balcony beside the staffroom, overlooking the gym.