Wee Bin Hoke

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.