Eco-Schools Network Minutes 21-05-09

NOTES OF THE ECO SCHOOLS NETWORK MEETING
on Thursday 21^st May 2009 AT 4.15 PM at Weston Road High School

Present:
Karen Davies, Stafford BC
Margaret, Hixon
Richard West, Penkrtidge Middle School
Jeanette Owen, Stafford Sports School
Robert Deaville, St Leonard's, Stafford
Lesley Howe, St Leonard's, Stafford
Kate Russell, Staffs CC, School Improvement Division
Karen Bryan, Barnfields
Becky McVitie, Penkridge Middle School
Jane Burgess, Leasowes
Julie Smith, St Michael's
Mark Parkinson, Staffs CC Waste Management
Judith Smythe, St Leonard's, Dunston
Emma Ray, Staffs CC, Waste Management
Apologies:
Jan Mellor - Staffs County Council Healthy Schools Co-ordinator
Roz Butterworth - Perton First School
Julia Barraclough, Groundwork
Chris Benn, student at Walton High School
Alison Plant, St Leonard's Dunston
Jenny Talbot
Di Barnard, Stafford BC, Waste Team
Jo Perry - Staffs Wildlife Trust
Notes of last meeting
Agreed as correct and all matters arising on agenda.
Update on Staffs CC work to promote Sustainable Schools/Eco-Schools
Kate Russell from the County Council's Schol Improvement Division, is now responsible for supporting Sustainable Schools. She has been allocated 12 days per year to do work on this. She hopes to talk at the Primary Heads Termly Meetings and get the topic onto Governors agendas, as well as set up webpages on the Staffordshire website to join up sustainable schools initiatives, focusing on the 8 Doorways. She also hopes to produce an e-update on Sustainable Schools. Karen asked if she was aware that we had given presentations at the Primary Heads meetings last Autumn and had before that organised a delegation with David Kidney MP to the DCSF in London to put forward views and suggestions re the Sustainable Schools Framework. Karen has powerpoint presentations that may be useful for Kate. Karen also put together a questionnaire survey of Headteachers at these meetings - results have been compiled and circulated to the Network as well as SCC's Peter Traves, Derrick Golland, regionally and back to DCSF. Kate you may also find our webpages useful at: www.staffordbc.gov.uk/sd Karen, Kate and Mark P to meet to discuss joint working, what's happened previously and possible plans for the future (Tues 16^th June at 9.15 am at the Kingston Centre).

Karen had also been in touch with Peter Traves to ask him for an update and he sent the following paragraph which is from SCC's latest latest submission (Strategy for Change Part One) in the Building Schools for the Future programme:

"Staffordshire schools have a strong history of involvement in the Europe-wide 'Eco-Schools' scheme. This ensures that learners are actively engaged in real-life sustainability issues with actions determined by a pupil led school committee in over 60% of our schools. This foundation is now being extended through the development of the 'S3 - Sustainable Schools Self-evaluation' process and linked to the County Council's Climate Change agenda."

Given that we are required to limit the length of the submission this, albeit brief, statement is highly significant. I hope this helps and you have my complete support.

Peter
Meeting with David Kidney

Karen had had a meeting with David Kidney and several others to discuss Sustainable Schools and Eco-Schools. He had called the meeting due to enquiries from two students, Chris and Caitlen, from Walton High School. Reps were there from Government Office, Mary Burton (Regional Sust Schools Co-ordinator), Derrick Golland. Issues such as the need for better recycling facilities, liaison/awareness raising with Governors, useful sources of help, links to the Local Area Agreement etc were covered.
Staffs Wildlife Trust

Several events are coming up over the summer. Have a look at the website:
http://www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk/
The first of these is the Local Food and Drink Festival on Sat June 6^th from 11 am till 11 pm. There is a lot on offer for schools at the Trust, summarised in a series of web pages.
SCC Waste Management

Mark Parkinson discussed how recycling in schools is becoming more prominent. This Network has helped to raise the profile of school recycling and has long lobbied for better facilities! Several Local Authorities are now showing an interest.
Stafford BC is beginning a trial, currently with two schools, Walton Priory Middle School, Stone and Walton High School, Stafford. They will be collecting recyclables as per items collected in domestic collections (blue wheelie bins). Costs and logistics will be assessed and it is hoped that the scheme will be rolled out across the Borough. If you would like to find out more please contact Becky Martin at Stafford BC, rjmartin@staffordbc.gov.uk tel 01785 619000
Mark re-emphasised that our Eco-Schools Network has helped push this key issue - so well done to you!

The issue of School Fruit was discussed. Fruit is delivered in heavy duty cardboard containers which are left at schools who then have to dispose of them/find recycling outlets. St Peter's containers are however taken back!
Karen to find out who SCC contact is.
Margaret at Hixon to investigate how this is done for her school.

Karen asked what schools were doing with any fruit waste. All schools present composted theirs.
Karen asked if schools were aware of the Love Food Hate Waste campaign (a national campaign that Staffordshire County Council are really focussing on).
Emma is involved with this work and explained to the group what it is all about. Mark can bring posters for the group to the next meeting - thanks!!
Stafford BC Sustainable and Healthy Communities team update

Karen updated the group on recent and current relevant work and items.
- Stafford Borough Eco-Schools Network has been used as an example of Best Practice in "Sustainable Schools Local Authority Guidance" due out shortly.
- Our Network as also been referred to (and several individual case studies) in a brand new publication from NAEE, "Positive Action: the school as a role model of sustainable living". Karen gave out copies of this to those present - and has copies for anyone interested
- Several conferences are coming up - further details can be googled:
  - Does Every Child's Future Matter: Birmingham Wed June 3 (Kate R to feedback at next meeting)
  - What on Earth are we thinking about: SD and global learning: Birmingham Thurs 18^th June
  - Eco Schools Show: Wed 24^th June at Stoneleigh (Karen B to feed back at next meeting)
  - Fairtrade Schools Conference; 22 June in Leeds, 29^th June in Reading
  - National Sustainable Schools Conference for Schools, Dates in July at various venues
- Green Awards 2009 have been launched - don't forget to enter!!! Online
  applications via www.staffordbc.gov.uk/sd Discussion took place around Schools in Bloom and what's happened to it. The message for our Green Awards is that it would be nice to have more of the kids able to go to a presentation event, as they really think it's special - Karen to follow up. Also some people had not received the photos - Karen to check.
- St Leonard's Stafford are visiting the Centre for Alternative Technology in June, with some sponsorship from SBC Sust and Healthy Communities: feedback at the next meeting please!
- Derrington Low Carbon Community project is being launched on Sat May 30th - all welcome!! The local school is also involved! Karen has had a meeting with the Head and Ian Wykes form the SCC Climate Change Team, to explore any possible climate change work.
- Karen told the group that the Stafford Borough Eco-Schools Network is TEN YEARS OLD this year! Everyone agreed we should celebrate this!! Ideas at next meeting please! (ALL!).
- The County Climate Change Team are still looking for a couple of keen schools to work with - contact Ian Wykes for further details, but can you let me know too. Ian.wykes@staffordshire.gov.uk tel 0300 111 8000. He would be able to help with funding and support/advice. Ian - Julie from St Michael's has been trying to contact you!
  
  The Stafford Annual Family Bike Ride is back!!!! Sunday 28^th June 10.30 am meet Sainsbury's Car Park!! Please share this amongst your school community!!!
  
  Karen added that there's lots more going on - see www.staffordbc.gov.uk/sd
Feedback from Schools and other Members

St Leonard's, Dunston:
Have planted 65 trees over the winter, as well as wildflowers; set up sensory garden using lots of recycled materials; log seats using a fallen cherry tree; also plan to build a den! Looking for a safe surface for this - Any ideas??
St Peter's Hixon:
Have planted trees including elms from seed; work with BTCV; Walk to Schools Week; recycling everything except cardboard; Working with SCC Green Travel Advisor.
St Michaels, Stone:
Walk to School Week; Each year group has a veg patch; Taking part in Green Britain Day; July 10 - see Encams website.
Penkridge Middle School:
60 native saplings planted; planting session at Dobbies; Year 5 doing road safety project, will inc walking; new planters at front of school; will be working on pond next! Adding light sensors to teaching areas; installing blinds to avoid air con; applying for grant to assess energy measures/renewables; The DEC report is not very specific or helpful - you need a DEC to get a Green Flag.
Barnfields, Stafford:
veg plots, fruit trees, raspberry canes, tomatoes; Walk to School; entered Perkins Awards; have light and computer monitors; have saved #1000's - may be good PR opportunity!! Working with Community Learning Partnership who will have a building in grounds; going to Eco-Schools Show in June (some support from SBC SHC team); will be tidying up perimeter fence; having a Green Day on June 5^th (World Environment Day); working with Nursery to set up mini beast garden.
St Leonard's, Stafford:
Woodland garden; veg planting; made Bumble Bee homes; registered with Blue Peter save a Bee; doing a Green Day soon; bedding plants; going to CAT; sponsored litter pick for the rainforest; met SCC Climate Change team to look at CC/energy efficiency.
Stafford Sports College:
Save the Bees Day in Science, Eng and Technol Week; have a sunflower growing competition; veg plot - that needs work!
AOB
Elliott the Eco-Bat has been at St Leonard's in Stafford c/o Rob Deaville. He has met everyone at the school. He has had some repairs (thanks!!). He has helped in many activities! He's now off to St Leonard's Dunston!

Mark asked about what news there was from Mary Burton at the Region. Karen mentioned the Conference on June 3^rd see above.

The following is the latest Eco-Schools newsletter which was sent to all schools on the 23rd April. Do you all get this??? Karen

Dear Eco-School

Welcome back after the Easter break. The Eco-Schools office is buzzing as we swing into our busiest period of the year. There are now 11,467 schools registered with the programme. An amazing 3,773 of these have achieved the bronze award, 2,372 silver awards and 855 green flags. This brings the total to 7000 schools nationally that have achieved an award.

In this Newsletter:

1. Eco-Schools Show

2. Eco-Schools Introduces New Early Years Guidance and Criteria

3. Eco-Schools Joins Forces with The Pod

4. Remember to Renew Your Green Flag

5. Currys Switched on Communities Grants

6. Bright Green Youth Competition - An Exciting Opportunity to Visit Denmark

7. Think Food and Farming

8. Eco-Bins Competition Winners!

9. The Big Tidy Up

Date of next meeting: Thursday July 9^th May 21^st at 4.15 pm at

Weston Road High

I have invited Mick Bailey from SBC Streetscene to talk about what Streetscene do and how they you can work with schools - this should be very interesting and I've had good feedback from Karen at Barnfields about how helpful they are.

I look forward to seeing you there!! Karen kdavies@staffordbc.gov.uk 01785 619408 ps if you receive these minutes through the post but can receive them by email please get in touch to switch!!!!

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