​The Eco Reps had a great time yesterday helping at the supported living complex on shipcroft close (the flats behind our nature area.) They planted some bulbs, cleared moss and swept up and worked incredibly hard. They really are a credit to the school. They even asked of they could come back, and some wanted to come back today! We have been invited back in the spring term to look at all the bulbs flowering and hopefully join in with some more activities. They did an amazing job for the residents and we are really proud of them all. Andrea sent some photos of the area they helped clean up, so hopefully they are attached. Please could you show them to your eco reps so they can see their hard work? They really are all fab! xx

Today some of the Eco Reps met to talk about the concerning amount of litter within the school grounds.

They were so saddened to see that all their hard work during the litter picks this year has made no difference to people's attitudes or the environment.

They designed some posters to display down the school drive to remind parents and children to throw their litter in the bin or take it home.

This week Park Street received some seeds from the RHS! They are a mixture of different flowers and also some fennel.

Watch this space to see our Eco Reps planting these for The Big Seed Sow!

Today Miss Clementson led assembly to teach Park Street about Earth Day and caring for our world.

First we learnt about Sir David Attenborough and that he has dedicated his life to learning about relationships between the natural environment and how humans have impacted our planet in such negative ways. We watched a Blue Peter interview to learn about his life and what he has achieved.

We then looked at what we can ALL do to save our planet, before it becomes to late and animals become extinct and it warms up too much. We completed a quiz and could identify good and bad choices, such as recycling, using reusable bags and water bottles and riding bikes instead of using cars.

Miss Clementson set us all a challenge to not leave the tap on when we are brushing our teeth!

We can ALL make a difference to our planet and help save it, no matter how small it may be!

Today the Eco Reps were lucky enough to take part in a litter pick in our local community; along Park Street and onto the neighbouring housing estate.

We were joined by Andrea Walker who leads the Environmental Team for Barnsley South Area team and some of their team members. Mrs Chavan one of our school governors also joined us again.

There was so much litter on the school drive and along Park Street. When the Eco Reps got to the end of the housing estate there was a lot of rubbish cumulated at the parking area at the end. We collected lots of bags of rubbish and it was lovely to get some positive comments from the local residents!

We made such a difference to our local community!

Today some of the Eco Reps took part in a bird watch in our nature area. This was by far the best bird watch the Eco Reps have completed! We saw a range of different birds from our spotter sheets including a robin, greenfinches, wood pigeons, crows and blue tits.

It was also lovely to see how respectful and polite the Eco Reps were towards each other and staff too. 

In our nature area there were signs of spring too and we could see daffodils, croci and bluebells! We can't wait to see these come out when Spring arrives!

Here are some of our Eco Reps taking part in the birdwatch.
​

Today Miss Clementson met with our school governor Mrs Chavan, and with Andrea Walker the Environmental Project Officer for the South Area Team of Barnsley Council, to discuss future opportunities for the Eco Reps.

We are hoping to work closely with Andrea and her team to take the Eco Reps on a litter pick on Park Street and the local housing estate, to litter pick in a local park and to work with the community to litter pick at Shipcroft Community Centre.

​Watch this space for more information about these opportunities in the future!

Today the KS1 Eco Reps went on a litter pick in the nature area. They talked about how animals might eat the litter thinking it was food, or get stuck in it. It was lovely to hear some of the children's science knowledge as they were picking litter with conversations identifying evergreen trees. It was very cold as there had been a sprinkling of snow in the night so we didn't stay too long! We took our litter pickers and bin bags and began our hunt for litter. We didn't have to look far because there was lots of litter on the school drive!

The litter we found was mostly sweet wrappers and crisp packets. We had to clear away the fallen leaves to find some of it!

When the weather is warmer we will return to the nature area to continue our litter pick and help save the environment.

Today the Eco Reps met for the first time to meet each other and discuss their role. Everyone was very excited to be an Eco Rep and share their passion for protecting the environment for themselves and future generations.

Today we discussed what issues are close to the heart of the children and they had the opportunity to discuss this with the other Eco Reps. They shared some ideas and decided what they would like to focus on in the future.

Their ideas included;
Looking after trees and planting trees within the school environment,

Planting flowers within the school grounds to attract wildlife,

Having a whole school "Eco Day" to highlight some of the world's most worrying issues and concerns,
​
Having a stall at the summer fayre to raise money for Eco Rep activities or to send to a wildlife charity.

​The Eco Reps will meet again later in the term to take part in some activities and to discuss their ideas and make them happen!