Eco-Conservation Week at Northbourne Park School

Northbourne Park School’s ‘Eco Week’ got off to a flying start on Monday 19th March, giving pupils a chance to take part in a number of thought-provoking, fun and practical activities learning all about how to help the environment they live in.

Younger children at the Pre-Prep school learnt about composting and made bracelets out of unwanted t-shirts, while older pupils at the senior school undertook a beach clean at Kingsdown beach. Visiting guest speakers from organisations Deal With It and Kent Wildlife Trust told the children about local initiatives such as the ‘Plastic Free Deal’ campaign and the work to conserve the Old Park Hill Nature Reserve in Dover.

Liz Hayes, Head of Geography who organised the Eco week, said: “I am delighted with the way our pupils have engaged with the activities this week. It is clear many of them are very passionate about looking after our planet and they have embraced the different opportunities we have given them.” 

Some of the activities included making pine cone bird feeders, examining river wildlife in a pond dipping session, making recycled paper and lavender bags, and a second hand book sale. Teachers focused lessons on topics such as air pollution, the circular economy and environmental heroes.

Families were also involved, by being asked to seek out their broken mobile phones and jewellery, plus old and foreign coins, to be recycled and turned into a donation to the RSPCA.

Liz Hayes continued: “I was determined that the week should be really positive. We all know that our planet faces immense problems if we don’t make big changes, but we wanted the pupils to feel inspired and empowered that we can all play a part.”

This was summed up by the display of ‘eco pledges’ written by each of the pupils, including commitments to give up plastic straws, start meat-free Mondays and turning off their televisions at the mains socket.

“I will pick up litter and put it in the bin to prevent animals being killed,” promised a Year 4 pupil.

European pupils from the French Section participated in a beach clean at their local Kingsdown beach to raise awareness about the amount of plastic and rubbish in our oceans.

Dressed in boiler-suits and geared with pickers, gloves and bags that were kindly donated by Deal With It, 25 children from Northbourne Park’s French 6eme and 5eme classes aged 10 to 13, walked along the Kingsdown beach collecting all the plastic and rubbish they could find in about 2 hours. The rubbish bags will weighed for interest and awareness.

Deal With It is a community group active in trying to minimise impact on the environment and tackle climate change in the Dover and Deal area.

Sophie Papougnot, Head of the Section Franchise Bilingue, said: “It was fantastic to see the children so eager to take part in this activity and realising just how much rubbish they could find on the beach. In 2 hours the children collected a total of 40 kgs of rubbish; mainly plastic and fishing lines and promised to pick up one or two items of plastic each time they go out.”