From planting new trees and wildflower seeds for the bees, to checking what’s in the recycling bins, a group of Essex school pupils has decided to take care of the environment into their own hands by suggesting and running their own green initiatives.
The pupils of Felsted Prep School have named themselves ‘Planet Protectors’ and spend every spare moment getting their hands dirty on sustainability projects.
‘Our world is screaming at us to recycle plastic’, said 9 year old Krishna, from Year 4, ‘We don’t have a second Earth, this is our future. We need to recycle and keep our Earth healthy.’
So far, the Planet Protectors have sown wildflower seeds on a corner of the school grounds as part of their ‘rewilding’ project to help the natural ecosystem and the youngest Felstedians have helped to plant 100 new trees around the North Essex campus. Some have also organised their own litter pick in the local area, while others have carried out a survey of recycling to make sure as many items as possible are being re-used.
‘The children are very enthusiastic about sustainability, so caring for the environment has been a real passion project for them,’ said Miss Nia Thompson, a teaching assistant at Felsted Prep, who is overseeing the Planet Protectors. ‘They are beginning to form genuine good habits of small, everyday sustainable changes to make a big difference – which I hope, as they grow up, will stay with them, helping to make the world a better place for the future.’
‘When harnessed well, pupil voice is a powerful way to ensure that a school community grows stronger together’ comments Mrs Miranda Norris, Head of Felsted Prep School ‘By giving our Planet Protectors a more active role in their environment and allowing them the space to voice their own sustainability ideas, they feel empowered to build upon the habits that continue to make a difference. Incorporating sustainability projects into the students’ day is an important educational step, as well as being the right thing to do.’
Felsted, an independent boarding and day school for boys and girls aged four to 18, has this year strengthened its pledge to reduce waste, promote sustainability and encourage the ecosystem to flourish under the ‘Felsted for a Sustainable Future’ initiative. The school is working towards a ban on single-use cups for both pupils and staff, increased the number of recycling points across the school site, stepped up composting, begun work to rewild several areas of the school grounds to support the local flora and fauna and, through a partnership with One Tribe Global, has so far protected over 150,000 trees in the Amazon rainforest. Learn more about this partnership by visiting www.felsted.org/one-tribe.
Felsted for a Sustainable Future:
In addition to recycling and energy conservation, new initiatives aimed at reducing waste, promoting sustainability and encouraging the ecosystem to flourish on the school site have been introduced, including:
○ A reduction (and working towards zero use) of single-use cups – instead students and staff use sustainable and reusable water bottles and coffee cups
○ Use of biodegradable and plastic-free items as far as possible on the school site, including medical ice packs and sanitary products
○ More recycling facilities around the school along with more detailed information on how and what to recycle, including batteries, printer cartridges and even contact lenses
○ New student sustainability reps suggest and run sustainability initiatives for pupils and staff
○ Composting and the re-use of natural materials has been stepped up
○ Natural habitats on the school site are being rewilded to encourage new species of flora and fauna to thrive and supporting the biodiversity of the local area
○ Taking responsibility for the world will continue to be a key theme in lessons and activities for all Felsted pupils and the entire school community is being encouraged to be mindful of the environment and support the measures introduced
For further information or comment, please telephone the Felsted Marketing Department on 01371 822647 or email marketing@felsted.org
Categories: Felsted School
