Danes Hill School pupils have been inspired by the COP26 Climate Change Conference and have been straight out to the vegetable patch on their return to school after their October half term.
After obtaining the Bronze Eco-Schools award in January 2020, our children and teachers were keen to focus this term on the small things that will make all the difference.
This week, the children were tasked with preparing the garden patch to plant new vegetables and herbs, working hard removing weeds and preparing the soil. All food grown in the vegetable patch will be prepared by the kitchen chefs and served to the children as part of their lunch. The children have completed this exercise before and some wonderful courgettes, sweetcorn and carrots have been served as part of their healthy and nutritious lunches.
In response to the governments target that every school should be a sustainable school by 2020, we set up the Eco Committee in 2007 with the aim of becoming an Eco School. This year has been highly successful for the Eco Committee. They have increased the number of green recycling bins within the school, whilst continuing to collect recycling on a weekly basis. They launched a nature photography competition, which encouraged pupils to head outside and appreciate their local environment. They have also planted over 300 trees on the Danes Hill School site!
Rob Andrews, Acting Head at Danes Hill School said:
I am very proud of the Eco Committee at Danes Hill, their commitment and passion is infectious.
One Year 5 pupil commented at the vegetable patch:
“I love Eco Committee, its really fun and each time we do something different to help the environment. I hope to be in Eco Committee until I leave Danes Hill, to continue to help our vegetables grow and help the environment”.