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Eco-schools minutes 17-03-05
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Minutes of Stafford Borough Eco-Schools Network Meeting
Held on 17th March 2005 at Weston Road High School
1. Welcome and Introductions:
Sam Pickles - Stafford Borough Council, Local Agenda 21 Team
John Gatrix - Perkins Engines
Martin Bogle - Perkins Engines
Maggie Whitehouse - Weston Road High School
Wendy Roslowe - Weston Road High School
Kate Edgecomb - St. Andrews Primary School
Carol Steptoe - Silkmore Primary School
Julie Smith - St. Michael's Primary School, Stone
Phillipa Wilson - Berkswich Primary School
2. Apologies:
Margaret Corp - St. Leonard's Primary School, Dunston
Margaret Prince - St. Peter's Primary School, Hixon
Alan Watson - Walton Hall Special School - Working Farm
Richard West - Penkridge Middle School
3. New Eco-Schools Theme - 'Global Sustainability':
ˇ SP attended a regional meeting for those involved with the support of Eco-Schools. The event was run by EnCams (the charity that runs Eco-Schools in England and Wales) and provided an opportunity for consultation on the new Eco-Schools theme 'Global Sustainability'. Many suggestions were made as to how the theme could be made clearer to teachers.
The new theme is designed to fit into the existing Eco-Schools framework and will run alongside the current topics (e.g. Litter, Energy, Healthy Living, School Grounds, etc). The idea is to allow children to gain understanding of the global dimension of topical issues such as global warming, migration, the arms trade and the prices of goods in the shops. For example Eco-Schools is a good tool for teaching children to save energy in order to create less pollution and save money for the school, but this might not include the link to global warming and the different ways it is and will affect different parts of the world. EnCams are aware that most Eco-Schools will do this as a matter of course and so the theme will be a means of recognising good practice in many cases.
Another reason for adding a new theme is to make Eco-Schools more accessible and useful throughout secondary school curriculum, particularly in geography.
There will be a related change in the criteria for awarding second and third Green Flags, which will involve looking closely at a theme not previously covered by the school.
These changes will all be detailed on a revamped Eco-Schools website, which will be aimed more at teachers than at present.
The international Eco-Schools website will eventually have a link up page, allowing individual Eco-Schools all over the world to contact each other through the internet.
SP to keep group updated.
4. DfES Framework - Learning for Sustainability:
ˇ A renewed interest in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) from the DfES has resulted in the development of this new self-evaluation framework. It will provide schools with an idea of how to fit initiatives like Eco-Schools and concepts like ESD into everything else expected of them, or indeed how they can help to achieve these expectations. Based on a pilot scheme conducted by the WWF, the framework will be available online in much the same way as self evaluation for OfSted is at present (an example of a draft website page is attached). However it will not be forced on anyone and is to be provided as a tool for schools to fit ESD into the rest of the school's activities. Furthermore the framework will be subject to teacher review and so should evolve to be as useful as possible. It is likely to have familiar themes such as healthy living and natural resources. There will also be a database of places and organisations that can provide support to schools on a national, regional and local level. SP to keep the group updated.
5. Farm Visits 2005:
ˇ Following the success of last year's farm visits the Local Agenda 21 Team will be organising a second series for the first two weeks of July 2005. Farming & Countryside Education (FACE) will be helping to arrange the activities for the days. The hope is to cater for six schools, and again it will be on a first come first served basis. FACE have offered to help find farmers willing to participate.
ˇ SP suggested that it would be good if a complete 'field to plate' experience could be arranged. Children would be able to see grain growing on the farm in the morning and then take it to Shugborough in the afternoon to see it milled and have a go at baking bread. However the cost of visits to Shugborough and the time limitations for visiting two sites in one day present serious problems. It will probably be more practical to keep a similar format to last year.
ˇ SP to write to schools.
ˇ Visits to the farm at Walton Hall Special School are still available. Most groups can be accommodated and visits can be tailored to suit the needs of the class. They can be arranged through Alan Watson (Farm Manager) T: 01785 850420. A small charge of £2 per child would be applicable.
6. Perkins Eco Awards 2005:
ˇ John Gatrix and Martin Bogle attended to invite schools to enter the 10th annual Perkins Eco-Awards. Schools can enter and environmental project they are working on - it doesn't have to be huge or particularly ground breaking. Entrants need to complete the form attached and return it to Perkins by 25th April. The panel of judges will then visit each entrant. Three finalists will be picked to attend the presentation day on the 29th of June, which is a prize in itself with a full days environmental entertainment. Each finalist will make a presentation about their project on the day, with the winners receiving £500, a bench and many other goodies. As this is the 10th anniversary there will be an additional special prize of a class trip to a relevant venue. Suggestions from the group included Conkers - the National Forest Visitor Centre.
ˇ For further details please contact Liz Leese or Mandy Allsop T: 01785 215700
ˇ Perkins offered their support for the Eco-Action Day in September.
7. Summary from Sam:
ˇ The Fairtrade (FT) Fun Day was a great success with Oxfam and Gateway selling FT products, a FT café and an FT stall with a FT Monopoly game, giveaways and prizes. Many thanks to all schools that distributed vouchers to children. There were just about enough prizes to cater for demand!
ˇ Following a positive response from schools regarding financial support for the continuation of the Network and the Support Officer Post, SP to write to schools thanking them for their support and advising that an invoice will follow shortly. The Network advice that a sliding scale would be fairer for smaller schools has been agreed. Schools with less than 200 pupils will now be asked for 50p / child, other schools will still be asked to contribute £100 where previously agreed.
ˇ Governor Training: to be discussed at next meeting.
8. Feedback from Schools:
ˇ Weston Road: The school has just been awarded their 2nd Green Flag. Massive congratulations from all!!! (Maggie: John Boyle, Co-Op Member Relations - for Fair Trade - T: 0121 2331545)
ˇ Silkmore: During Fair Trade (FT) Fortnight the school held a FT assembly. Fones4Schools will be going ahead, but the prize aspect will be toned down as it could be too much of an incentive.
ˇ St. Andrew's: The school council are currently in the process of forming an Eco-Committee.
ˇ Berkswich: The latest project is looking at installing a water butt specifically to supply the boggy area. Underground permeable piping was suggested.
ˇ St. Micheal's: A local (church?) group gave a talk for FT Fortnight. Contact: Ruth or Geoff Parsons, T: 01785 815275. The schools has run Fones4Schools successfully before and will be doing it again soon.
Date of Next Meeting:
Thurs 19th May 2005, 4:15pm, Weston Road High School
For more information on Eco-schools contact Sam Pickles Tel: 01785 619686
Previous Minutes 20-01-05 | 11-11-04 | 16-09-04 | 20-05-04 | 25-03-04 | 27-11-03 |
24-09-03 | 08-07-03 | 21-05-03 | 02-04-03|