Primary 5 and 6 have been busy lately helping to improve our school grounds. We decided to move our wildflower patch from the position it has been in for years to grow it on fresh soil with more nutrients. We will add the compost we are making to the original site to add nutrients back into the soil there before we plant there again.

Primary 5 offered to help dig out the new wildflower patch from the grassy area in the Eco garden. First, they were given a Maths problem to solve. They had to work out how many granite edging stones we needed to go around the perimeter of the patch. They did this by measuring the edging stones and calculating their average length. Then they found the total perimeter of the patch they had measured out and worked out how many stones would be needed to fit that length. They quickly cut out the patch with the spades and laid the  stones around the edge of the patch to stop the grass from encroaching on it, then scattered wildflower seeds. We hope that this area will be a riot of colour this summer and swarming with pollinators.

The Eco Committee carried out an audit of our school grounds and found some ideas to improve the Senior playground. One thing they  found that we could do with, is  some more seating for lunch and break times. We were lucky because a building site just up the road from our school had just cut down some trees that were dying. The men on site did us a great favour and provided us with two large tree trunks for the pupils to sit on. These will be rolled into position soon and the children can sit on them.

Primary 5 and 6 have also been helping to paint some large cable spools that Mrs Rooney got for our senior playground, to serve as tables and chairs so the pupils would have more tables and chairs to eat their packed lunches at.

Our native species tree grove in the Highlands is proving to be a success. We now have 16 trees planted there. This number will grow each year as our textile recycling provides us with funds to add more trees to our grove. Hopefully, one day we will have planted enough trees to offset our school’s carbon footprint, as well as helping to make a barren area of the Highlands beautiful again and provide woodland habitat for many animals, insects and birds.

Did you know that you can purchase a tree and it will be added to our grove? They cost just £6 each, (far cheaper than in the garden centre). We hope that the whole community of St. Albert’s Primary will add trees to our grove, so that it becomes a forest over time. You can add a tree to our grove on the Trees for Life website at:

https://treesforlife.org.uk/find-a-grove/

On this page, type St. Albert’s Primary, Glasgow into the search box and hit RETURN. This will take you to a page where you can purchase trees which will be added to expand our grove to create something beautiful for the wildlife and future generations to enjoy.

Every year, the St Albert’s Primary community takes part in WWF’s Earth Hour. This year is no exception and the Eco Committee is asking you to take part this year as well, for one hour starting at 8.30 p.m. this Saturday 27th March.

Earth Hour is one of the world’s largest movements for our planet. For one hour each year, millions of people from all over the world take part and switch off their lights at home to show they care about the future of our planet. Joining Earth Hour’s switch off reminds us that even small actions can make a big difference. When we make changes in our own lives, and when we share that with others, we also inspire the people around us to change – and we help grow a movement that businesses and governments can’t ignore.

2021 is the start of an important decade for climate and nature action. This year, leaders from across the world will make decisions that will impact our futures. By 2030, nature and wildlife could be recovering all around us. We could have green jobs, cleaner air and a healthier future for the next generation. Will you send them a message that you care about nature and the future of our planet by taking part this year?

Visit https://www.wwf.org.uk/earth-hour to find out everything you need to know to take part. There you will find ideas for things to do during Earth Hour that don’t involve using your lights e.g. having a candlelit dinner, doing some stargazing or going for a walk in nature. You can even calculate your own carbon footprint on the website and join online events or download a Spotify playlist to relax with.

If you do decide to take part this year, please take a photo of what your family do during Earth Hour and upload it to your child’s class page on Teams, so we can add the pictures to our Eco Notice Board in school. Thank you.

Miss Brooks and the Eco Committee.