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The first week in October saw the Girls’ School Association (GSA) schools across the country promoting environmental issues under the banner of ‘Girls Go Green’. Having gained both the Bronze and Silver ‘Eco School’ awards, Burgess Hill School for Girls’ Junior School were keen to get involved! Below is a report on the week.
Last out, Lights off! – saving energy
Our passionate Eco Monitors and Eco Committee talked to their classes about the importance of saving energy. To raise awareness further, we turned off all lights, Smart boards and classroom computers during Monday lunchtime.
Girls Go Green – literally!
On Thursday, the girls wore as much green clothing as possible to raise awareness of ‘green’ issues. They raised £151 to go to the World Wildlife Fund, which helps protect endangered species and habitats.
Love Food Hate Waste – a food waste reduction challenge
The Junior School Eco Committee weighed food waste generated at lunchtimes throughout the week, with a target of halving their food waste by the end of the week. They were pleased to announce that their mission was accomplished as they reduced the food waste from 13kg on Monday to 5.5kg on Friday.
Park and Stride – promoting ‘green’ transport
Pupils were encouraged to use ‘green’ methods of travel throughout the week. They were asked to think about whether they could car share, use public transport, school buses or walk. If they had to use the car, the Eco Committee promoted a ‘Park and Stride’ scheme; encouraging parents to park five minutes away and stride the rest.
Eco-Art and Design – eco curriculum projects across the school
Girls from Reception to Year 6 took part in creative eco-inspired projects in 
their Art or Design and Technology lessons during the week. Their challenge was to make something useful from ‘junk’. In Reception, the ideas included necklaces, hair clip pots, boxes and pots for mum’s things, and a crown! In Year 2, the girls used their newly-acquired sewing skills to create lavender bags from recycled fabric.
Girls in Year 3 watched a DVD produced by one of the parents about a Brazilian artist who used ‘junk’ to make plaques. This inspired the girls to make their own. Year 6 enjoyed a 'Design an Eco Hat' challenge. All the girls worked with a partner to create an Eco hat using recycled items which they had collected at home over the week. Their creations were modeled in assembly.
Eco Committee trip – Materials Recycling Facility, Ford
On Friday 8th October the Eco Committee visited the Materials Recycling Facility in Ford to find out about how materials are recycled in Sussex. They were the first school to visit the centre last year and relished the opportunity to return. After learning about what can be recycled and seeing what happens to all of the waste, the girls were invited to design their own eco bag. The Eco Committee came bounding back to school with lots of ideas for their next meeting!
Mrs Pearson, Deputy Head of the Junior School said, “It made us all think very carefully about what we throw away and how useful things could be rather than just putting them in the bin.”