Pupils at Burgess Hill School for Girls became eco-savvy in the spirit of the ‘Girls Go Green’ week long initiative set up by the Girls’ Schools Association (GSA).

The aim was to raise awareness of environmental issues and the importance of sustainable development by spending the week taking part in eco-friendly activities.  Burgess Hill School teamed up with the West Sussex County Council and Better Tomorrows, a local eco community interest company, to arrange unique opportunities for the pupils learning.

LOVE FOOD HATE WASTE

At the beginning of the week the Junior School Eco Committee set a challenge for the girls to halve their lunchtime food waste.  After a week of weighing, the waste was reduced from 16.25kg to an astonishing 6kg!

‘I liked seeing all the children eating all their meals, otherwise it is disappointing for all of the chefs!’

“We are lucky to have food as other children don’t get enough.”

“Love Food Hate Waste encouraged me to eat food.  Before, my tummy felt empty at playtime.”

“We felt sad to see such a high amount of waste at the start of the week but were very happy with the reduction by the end of the week!”

“We enjoyed the challenge!”

Eco committee girls weighing the school’s waste food

WALK ON WEEKDAYS

All week the girls were encouraged to choose ‘green’ methods of travel as part of the ‘Walk on Weekdays’ initiative.  There was an increase in walking and car-sharing, with many opting to ‘park and stride’ which eased the morning congestion.

“I liked it because normally we don’t walk to school and this week Mummy was properly trying.”

“It felt good to know that we were helping the environment.”

DESIGN A BIRDHOUSE

The Infants were invited to design a birdhouse for the outside of their new building, Little Oaks.  The winning design will be built and will house a live camera with a microphone, so that the girls can watch their feathered neighbours move in!

THE BIG RECYCLING BUS

On Tuesday the arrival of ‘The Big Recycling Bus’, run by West Sussex County Council, caused quite a stir!  Jen Hake and Phil Townrow passionately conveyed the importance of the ‘3 Rs’ (reduce, reuse and recycle) to all Junior School girls.

“It was interesting to learn about landfill sites.”

“I am now much keener to recycle things.”

“I didn’t know that you could make a fleece out of 23 plastic bottles.”

“It makes us want to make a difference.”

Junior School Eco Committee and Junior School Deputy Head Mrs Pearson-Rujas (right) with Phil Townro, Jen Hake and the Big Recycling Bus

WASTE REDUCTION ASSEMBLY

The importance of reducing before reusing and recycling was reinforced with a thought provoking assembly on Wednesday by Joy Dyson from Mid Sussex County Council. The girls were thrilled to receive pencils made from old newspapers!

LITTER WORKSHOPS

On Thursday the Infant classes were visited by Katie Chatfield from Mid Sussex County Council who promoted the importance of keeping our environment litter free.

Learning about litter with Mid Sussex County Council

ECO FASHION CHALLENGE

Thursday afternoon saw the girls in Year 6 and Year 9 working together for an ‘Eco Fashion Challenge’.  After a lunchtime briefing on Monday, the girls were organised into teams and challenged to create a ball gown from recyclable materials – in one hour!  Inspired by Mrs Bradley, Head of Technology in the Senior School, the girls created fashionable outfits that certainly rivalled London Fashion Week!  The rest of the Junior School were invited to a vibrant and professional fashion show where the ball gowns were modelled and presented with great gusto.

“It was amazing.  They made the clothes in only one hour!”

“The girls were like real models with their own catwalk!”

“We had to work cooperatively in our teams to produce our chosen design.”

“It was amazing to see what we were actually able to do with recycled materials.”

Eco models with their recycled ball gowns

MATERIALS RECYCLING FACILITY, FORD

Following their success in achieving both the Bronze and Silver Eco Schools awards last year, members of the Eco Committee were invited to be the first school to visit the new Materials Recycling Facility in Ford.  In the brand new education room Jen Hake demonstrated how the rubbish we throw in recycling bins is sorted and reused.  Having seen recycling in action, designed their own reusable bag and made their eco pledges, the girls came back to school raring to get to work on achieving the ‘Green Flag’ award.

“I really enjoyed making the Eco bag.  I am now taking it shopping with me!”

“I liked the week as we were helping to save the environment.”

Lessons at the Materials Recycling Facility

The girls watch how recycling takes place

14/10/09