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.

Bats and Hedgehogs

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

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.