Eco Committee Blog
Eco-committee 23-24
‘Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much...’
Mansel Park Primary & Nursery School
Eco Committee Blog
Monday 15th November
Year 1 has been incredibly active in embracing their eco-friendly mission to combat litter on our school grounds and have taken a stance against littering! The roots of this inspiring initiative were sown during an Eco Committee discussion focused on our environment and the harmful impact of litter. The children's sincere concern for the well-being of our planet motivated them to take decisive action. Once again, armed with gloves and litter pickers, our Year 1 students embarked on a litter-picking quest, ensuring not a single piece of litter was left unattended. Their actions served as a shining example to fellow students, spreading the vital message of taking responsibility for our actions.
But Year 1 didn't stop at merely cleaning up litter. They recognized that a substantial portion of our school's waste originated from discarded fruit during playtime, which prompted the introduction of compost bins. Guided by their teachers, the children began separating food waste, establishing a system where waste transformed into valuable compost. This not only reduced the school's waste output but also enriched the soil for our school garden.
The impact of Year 1's eco-warriors has extended well beyond their own class. Their passion and dedication have inspired older students and even teachers to play a more active role in reducing litter generation and advocating for environmental sustainability. The school has witnessed a collective shift towards a more environmentally conscious mindset.
In addition to their outstanding litter-fighting efforts, Year 1 has been busy sowing wildflower seeds on our school field before the half-term break, promoting biodiversity and enhancing our school's natural beauty.
Furthermore, Year 1 has been preparing our hedgehog home, generously filling it with straw to create a cosy retreat for our eagerly awaited visitor. We now have a wildlife camera in place, which will hopefully allow us to monitor our hedgehog home without disturbing the resident wildlife. We can't wait to see the fascinating footage we'll capture!
Year 2, have been regularly replenishing our bug hotel. Their goal was to invite a diverse array of wildlife into the school's outdoor spaces. Recognizing the crucial role bugs and insects play in supporting plant growth and pollinating flowers, they embarked on this project to provide a secure habitat for them. Utilising a variety of natural materials, including stones, grass, and wood, they carefully crafted the foundation of our bug hotel. To create cosy nooks within, they empty toilet rolls and plastic bottles, filling them with bug-friendly elements like grass, mud, and flowers.
This week, Year 2’s anticipation reached new heights as they eagerly revisited the bug hotel. Their objective was to observe whether any bugs had taken up residence. Given the colder weather, they understood that our tiny tenants might be keeping a low profile to stay warm. Armed with patience, they silently inspected the bug hotel and were delighted to discover ants, beetles, caterpillars, and even a charming ladybird!
While conducting their bug check, they also performed some necessary maintenance, restoring fallen sticks and leaves to their designated places. So far, our bug hotel is proving to be a success, and we take great joy in caring for our insect friends.
