22 June 2009
Penllwyn Primary School in Pontllanfraith is celebrating after receiving the prestigious Green Flag in recognition of their environmental efforts.
The Eco Committee at the school has been working with pupils, staff and the wider community to make the school more sustainable and they have now achieved the Green Flag for their outstanding work in the Eco Schools project.
The school's Eco Committee drafted an Action Plan for 2008/9 after carrying out an Environmental Review in July 2008. All pupils in the school have been involved in a range of events and activities with an emphasis on improving the environment, reducing waste and conserving energy.
These special events included a 'Go Bananas' day when 160 Fairtrade bananas were eaten at the school and issues relating to Fairtrade were discussed by pupils in collective worships.
The Eco Committee are also keen to save energy and have made their own labels for display around the school. These have had a positive effect and staff and pupils are now switching off lights and closing more doors and windows.
Through their curriculum work all pupils are taught to respect their environment and to protect the wildlife within it. Pupils in Foundation Phase have a hide from which to watch the birds and they also raise butterflies each year and release them in their gardens.
Pupils work very hard to ensure that the school grounds are litter free and try hard to encourage the local community to dispose of litter sensibly. The Eco Committee are currently working on reducing the amount of litter produced at lunchtime by children having sandwiches. In one typical day nearly 2kg of rubbish was created so the Eco Committee are campaigning to change packed lunch boxes into litter free boxes.
The school has recently won a Green Community Award from Swalec, worth £750 for its Eco work and pupils have raised significant funds for various charities including Barnados, Red Nose Day, Water Aid and Farm Africa.
For more information contact the school on 01495 223505.
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