Millfield student creates herb garden at school

Millfield student Sophia Wilson has created a herb garden on campus to supply school meals.

Upper Sixth Sophia created the honeycombe-shaped raised bed as a tool for the school’s catering provider, Chartwells, to access fresh, locally-sourced, sustainable onsite produce. The garden is situated at the back of the school’s Wellness Hut, and provides a peaceful location for students and staff to enjoy. Students recently planted the garden which features oregano, wild garlic, yellow courgettes and sweet lavender.

Sophia is a part of Millfield’s Global Goals Team, led by mathematics teacher Mrs Marianne Ashcroft, who provide a platform to discuss how Millfield can contribute to a brighter and sustainable future for all. So far the team have been selling wooden plaques for peers to write New Year’s resolutions on, whilst donating money to charities that align with the UN17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). These plaques will be made into a visual display around campus.

There have also been discussions regarding reducing food waste in the canteen and encouraging students to consume a more plant-based diet.

Day student Sophia joined Millfield in Year 9. She is currently studying A levels in Physics, Maths and Economics and is going on to study Mechanical Engineering in the US to become an engineering entrepreneur in solutions to reduce food scarcity in less developed countries.

Sophia said, “Climate change and sustainability are at the forefront of our generation. The awareness of enacting change has grown significantly over the past few years, especially with the impacts of Covid-19. What’s most important is that as an individual, a community, and a nation, we make conscious efforts everyday to enact change and decrease our carbon output.”

The team of Sixth Form students meet twice a week and have planned future initiatives including a Year 9 art competition, Sixth Form students leading an assembly at Millfield Prep School to raise awareness of the UN17 SDGs to the younger pupils as well as the inaugral Brilliance Exchange. The Brilliance Exchange will take place later this month and will see the community take part in a second-hand clothes sale, silent auction, Millfield Brilliance Award (MBA) ‘fresher’s fair’, charity activities and live music throughout the day, all to raise money for local charities.