The Eco Committee is challenging everyone at Woodlands to change their search engine habits.

Ecosia is an ethical search engine that donates 80% of its profits towards planting trees around the world and employing people in LEDC countries to grow and plant trees.

Their aim is to tackle climate change and undo some of the damage of deforestation in places like the Amazon Jungle and in African rainforests.

https://www.ecosia.org/

Every 45 searches raises enough money to plant one tree.

Our challenge

Part 1 = For the next month. Use Ecosia in school.

In your classroom. In ICT suite. On ipads. For one month.

Then decide if its worth sticking with or going back to another search engine.

Every 45 searches earns enough money to plant a tree.

Part 2 = tell someone outside of school about Ecosia and challenge them to use it for one month.

Primary 7 pupils have been busy building a great new location for mini beasts and bugs at the front of the school.

Today they were adding in some dead leaves (organic material) to encourage bugs to “check in” to the hotel.

We haven’t had too many guests yet, but we think that if we cover it and decrease the light levels, then more bugs might check in for a stay.

Have a look next time you’re passing and see if you can see any guests.

Our first Fairtrade focus this year will be on Cotton.

To promote the use of Fairtrade cotton in clothing, we are running a Fairtrade homework competition to design a Fairtrade T-shirt.

There will be a winner chosen for each house and the overall winner will get their design made into an actual t shirt to be worn during Fairtrade events.

Pupils can design their t-shirt on paper or on a computer and print it out.

Their design should include

• Fairtrade colours (blue, black and green)
• A logo
• Fairtrade products eg cotton, cholocate, bananas etc.

They could also includ

• a slogan to promote Fairt

Today we harvested the last of our onions and also went picking brambles so that we can make bramble jam.

Article 24 = every child has the right to good health.

Today Primary 7 went out to tidy up the planters and gardening beds after they had grown over the summer

We have left some onions to continue to grow until next week and then they will use them to make soup.

here are some before, during and after photos

Yesterday we started a new eco campaign about  batteries.It was about article  24 you have the right to a clean environment.The  batteries have acid in them that damage the environment when you throw the them in the bin. So instead of environment you can bring into P6/7 Woodlands primary school and you can get 100 housepoints.

Today we got our first pupils to bring in  batteries.

Today was World Earth Day in the school.

Article 24

every child has the right to good health. Governments should ensure children have good healthcare, clean water, nutritious food and a clean environment.

Some classes had the lights off all day to reduce electricity.

Other classes were learning about energy and global goals linked to the energy.

We also cleaned up the local are to reduce waste. Many people have been fly tipping in the area and it felt great to be able clear up this rubbish so that the local area is nicer for people and animals.

Primary 6/7 did a whole day without single use plastics as well to reduce their impact on oceans.

World Earth Day is about reducing your energy consumption and clearing the local area around you.

Today at assembly, the Eco committee introduced Fairtrade Fortnight which starts on Monday and runs for two weeks.

ARTICLE 27 – every child has the right to a standard of living that is good enough to meet their physical, social and mental needs.

There will be special activities throughout the two weeks including

• homework competition
• fairtrade house tokens for children with Fairtrade snacks
• Fairtrade tuckshop every day at playtime
• Fairtrade activities in class.

homework competition

each child needs to design a Fairtrade tea/coffee/hot chocolate cup. The winning design will win 10,000 house points. This needs to be finished and returned to teachers by the 8th March.

Fairtrade house tokens

Samantha designed these EPIC Fairtrade house tokens and they will be given to children who bring in Fairtrade snacks during Fairtrade fortnight.

Fairtrade tuckshop

To support Fairtrade cocoa farmers, we will be selling Freddo, Fudge, Kit Kats and Maltesers during Fairtrade Fortnight. Prices range from 30 p to 60 p

We would appreciate your support during Fairtrade Fortnight, especially to encourage and help children with their Homework competition. This helps keep the children focused on the importance of ethical and fair trading.

Thanks

Article 24 – every child has the right to a clean and safe environment

Today was the first day of our new Food waste campaign.

We are working hard to reduce the food waste within the school dinner hall.

We announced this campaign at assembly last week so all the children were ready to work hard to get this campaign off to a great start.

Some things children can do to reduce food waste are

• keep fruit for later or give it to a friend if they haven’t eaten it
• eat your main before your dessert
• tell the dinner ladies if you don’t want the whole meal eg no garlic bread.

The food waste police are here every day to help people to reduce the food waste.

Today was the first day and already, we have seen a huge reduction in food waste after one day.

Well done, keep it up

Today, the Eco committee performed an amazing eco assembly.

They were launching the waste busters campaign.

Children need to work hard throughout the school to help reduce waste in classrooms, the dinner halls and in the playground.

Article 24 – all children have the right to a clean and safe environment.