Environment day at Eaton Bank

5:54pm Tuesday 22nd July 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

LAST Thursday students and staff at Eaton Bank School were given the opportunity to learn about the environment and green issues by suspending the normal school timetable for what was the school`s fifth annual Rich Task day.

The environmental theme was proposed jointly by teachers Christine Andrew and Simone Gurbuz, and the planning quickly developed into a whole school learning activity involving a range of outside agencies and student activities.

Prior to the event, a number of students were responsible for writing the school`s very own Eco song which was recorded by all students in Years 7, 8 and 9.

Before the day had hardly started students were encouraged to use ecologically-friendly means to get to school, and were rewarded with a healthy breakfast of fruit, donated by Tesco, Congleton.

The day continued with a very busy and bustling Environmental Fair.

All students visited a number of exhibits which included recycling, an Oxfam shop, representatives from Biddulph Grange Garden and even a falconry display.

Students were encouraged to ask questions and get involved in some of the experiments which had been put together especially for a "hands on" experience.

The E day Oxfam shop raised over £300.

Throughout the day groups of students and staff participated in a number of wide ranging activities with an environmental theme.

Some students climbed to the top of The Cloud, others built bird boxes.

Cleaning the school pond was a particularly dirty activity, but rewarding and even included a bit of Biology into the bargain.

Some students worked on "prom" dresses which were made completely from discarded materials.

The "Stomp" saw students making music from items which had previously been thrown away converted into a full ‘orchestra’ of sound.

Throughout the day the atmosphere was fantastic with students and staff really enjoying the flexibility of a unique learning experience.

Headteacher Paul Roberts praised and thanked all who had been responsible for producing a fascinating range of activities which enabled students to learn about and enjoy differing aspects of the environment.

He said: "Right from its inception it was quite clear that this E-Day was going to be something special, and there was no doubt the students learned much and benefited from the wealth or experiences on offer.

"Our sincere thanks to everybody who contributed to this highly successful and innovative occasion."

The day ended with the planting of four trees, a worthwhile environmental activity in itself, with the joint function of commemorating the four Houses that will be the backbone of the school’s transformed pastoral structure from September.

The names of the Houses, selected by the students, reflect another area of nature as they are named after British birds of prey, Eagle, Hawk, Osprey and Falcon.

Finally there was the E Concert where rock bands and singers composed of students of all ages too part.

A fitting end to an excellent day of deep learning at Eaton Bank School once again.