Posted on: July 10th 2023
Our pupils have once again been awarded a coveted Eco-Schools Green Flag with Distinction. The Eco-Schools Green Flag is an international accreditation that recognises efforts to raise environmental awareness amongst young people, whilst taking action to make our school more sustainable. Norfolk House School has now retained its status as an accredited Eco-School, following our achievement last year.
The Eco-Schools programme was established in 1994 and is now delivered in more than 70 countries across the globe. The programme prompts young people to explore a variety of environmental issues, including climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Pupils are then empowered to plan and deliver environmental actions in their school, local community, and beyond.
Since Norfolk House School began working towards an Eco-Schools Green Flag during 2022, achievements have included reducing our amount of plastic used, increasing our recycling efforts and our Eco Warriors writing to Bellevue to request a change to a green energy supplier, under the guidance of Miss Patten.
This year, pupils at Norfolk House School have built on these strong foundations, collaborating with Miss Queeney to work on three Eco-Schools topics: water, school grounds and transport. They then planned a variety of projects including launching a Gardening Club, raising funds for environmental charities Greenpeace and Just One Tree, partnering with Haringey’s TfL Stars to create a School Travel Plan and carrying out two community pollution picks, with our local MP Catherine West in attendance at one of them.
Miss Queeney said, “It has been fantastic to witness the passion and commitment shown by our Eco Warriors and consequently, their delight when their hard work has made a real difference to not only our school community but our larger local community.
Form 2 pupils Emma and Maria explained, “It has been fun to encourage our classmates to walk to school and not take the car as Miss Queeney explained that our levels of nitrogen dioxide are alarmingly high. It was interesting to listen to the Greenpeace speaker tell us about the climate emergency and the little changes we can make”.
Eco-Schools England Manager, Adam Flint, said: “The Eco-Schools Green Flag award is an internationally recognised symbol of high environmental standards. The pupils and school staff that earn the award deserve immense credit for their hard work, determination, and creativity. Their passion for protecting our planet is an inspiration to us all.”
To learn more about Eco-Schools head to www.eco-schools.org.uk
