Walthamstow school pupils take part in environmental activities as part of special Green Week
Whitefield Schools pupils took their eco-learning one step further by immersing themselves in a variety of green activities.
Pupil Kyra Keating taking part in Whitefield Schools' eco-learning activities
Submitted by Nicole McKechnie
Pupils at Whitefield Schools in Walthamstow, in London took part in a range of environmentally-focused activities as part of their very own Green Week.
One of the school's curriculum priorities is to teach pupils to value and care for their environment. It's an important skill for adult life and gives pupils the opportunity to make a difference now.
Pupils took their eco-learning one step further by immersing themselves in a variety of green activities. As part of the themed week, staff put together a set of green activity bags, and from these, each class teacher selected a handful for their pupils to enjoy.
Equipped with their supplies, pupils learnt more about how they can help support the animals and plant life in the local area. This included learning how to sow herbs in plant pots, build bug hotels and sow cress seeds into different shapes using cookie cutters.
Alongside these hands-on activities, classes across the schools tuned into special Zoom workshops with live animals. Local falconry centre, Coda Falconry, delivered an exciting session where pupils got the chance to see an owl and hawk close up and watch in awe as they flew by.
Likewise, in a memorable live animal education workshop with Wild Science, pupils learnt about a range of furry animals and reptiles and how to best take care of them.
Speaking during the week, Feyza, a 13-year-old pupil, said: “I am enjoying Green Week because it is teaching us how important nature is and how we can take care of it.”
Jaden, a 14-year-old pupil, said: “I love Green Week. It is important to learn about what is good for our environment.”
The schools’ Green Week has kickstarted their involvement in the global Eco-Schools programme. As part of this, the schools will set up their very own pupil Eco-Team which, over the coming months, will be evaluating their current environmental impact.
They will then lead a project to find ways to make their schools even more sustainable with the goal of becoming a fully-fledged Eco-School.
Laura Pease, Principal at Whitefield Schools, said: “Our mission statement is ‘enjoyment, achievement and wellbeing for all’. Eco-activities bring learning to life, allowing our pupils to make a difference to their environment, to work together and to learn new skills and knowledge.
"Every pupil in the school, supported by our fantastic staff, can take part. We are grateful to the staff team who planned this week and look forward to transforming our environment and moving our focus into the local community as we work towards becoming an Eco-School.”
