Outdoor Eco Day 2010

On Thursday 10th June the whole school took part in a range of outdoor activities. These were all related to this year's Eco themes of Energy or Biodiversity / School Grounds. We had a very successful day, which was very much enjoyed by everyone who took part. As usual, we are very grateful to our willing helpers, without whom events like this could not take place. Many thanks to Kirsty, Hayley, Rona, Glynis, Karen and Victoria, our parent helpers, and also a sincere thank you to Brid McKibben from Community Energy Scotland, Bruce Ruthven, Orkney's Rugby Development Officer and Catherine Johnston of Active Schools.

Helping the Bumblebees!

After learning all about the bumblebee for the RSPB Vote for Nature project, the children in Primary 2/1 have been lucky enough to become involved in a local project to help the bumblebee, and particularly the Great Yellow Bumblebee, survive. Eileen Summers, Environmental Officer for the Council, helped P2/1 plant seedlings of eight different plants native to Orkney. In time these plants should provide pollen for bumblebees right through the spring and summer months. We are looking forward to seeing these plants flower. Well done Primary 2/1 for playing your part in helping to look after the bumblebee!

The outdoor classroom

Rainforest Adventure

On Friday 14th May every class in the school had the opportunity to take part in an exciting adventure through the rainforest. Jenny from Zoolab led us through the rainforest and introduced us to several creatures which can be found there, for example, a giant land snail, a corn snake and a giant millipede.

Sharing our Learning

As part of their houses & Homes topic P4/3 have been researching the importance of recycling and saving energy.  They decided it would be a good idea to share this learning with the wider community, and went to work creating an information leaflet.

It's been a very big project, with writing being completed in class, illustrations being designed with Miss Grant in art and they're now at the final stage: designing the leaflet.

The recycling group were first to work on this challenge.  With a little help from Mr Gallacher, they found how to select, drag and position text and images on the computer.

We're looking forward to seeing the finished leaflet boys and girls!

RSPB Vote for Nature

Recently pupils and staff at St Andrews Primary School took part in the RSPB Vote for Nature. Classes were asked to create a display and a presentation about one of five endangered species (P2/1 - bumblebee, P3/2 - polar bear, P4/3 - Sumatran tiger, P5/4 - albatross and P7 - sand eel). On Thursday 6th May, to coincide with the General Election, votes were cast to choose which of these five creatures should receive the biggest proportion of an imaginary pot of money, to help with the preservation of its species. The creature chosen by the pupils and staff of St Andrews Primary School was the bumblebee. Congratulations to all the pupils for the beautiful and informative displays, which can be seen in the school foyer.

Wibbly wobbly wall design competition

A competition to design a 'road map' for one section of our wibbly wobbly wall was held recently.

Four winning designs were chosen and Conrad has combined these into the final design. Watch out for this appearing at the wibbly wobbly wall shortly!

Trimming the willow tunnels

Pupils from Primary 7 have been busy tidying the willow tunnels in preparation for summer. Thank you Primary 7 for your hard work in helping to look after the lovely surroundings at our school.

Playground Designers

The nursery have been working on a new design for their playground this term.  They have worked together and thought about different areas with lots of plants, activities and materials.  Outdoor space that is nice and welcoming is very important, so well done and I hope the construction goes well! 

Planting in the Garden

Mr Holt has been working very hard to start re-planting Victoria's Garden.  Primary 2/1 kindly helped out with some of the planting last week, and got a chance to get their hands dirty!  Thank you to P2/1, we look forward to seeing all the plants growing.  I can't wait to be able to make the most of this fantastic outdoor space with the other classes too.

Bag the Bruck

Last Friday we were doing our part to help keep Orkney clean and tidy.  Every year there is a "Bag the Bruck" weekend where volunteers across the county head out to pick up litter and other waste from around the coastlines and countryside.  P6 & P3/2 (with the help of Mrs Aitken, Mr McIntosh and some other helpers) went to Dingieshowe beach, Deerness and managed to collect 40 bags of rubbish collected from the beach!

Well done for all your hard work, a clean beach not only benefits us but really helps all the wildlife that live around our shores too.  Keep up the Eco-Friendly work.

Remember our Recycling Centre

As part of our waste reduction plans at St Andrews Primary School we have a Mini Recycling Centre set up in the foyer.  You can recycle newspapers, tin cans, ink cartridges, envelopes, mobile phones, stamps and batteries here!

Welcome to our Blog

Welcome to St Eco Greenies Blog!  We are working together at St Andrews Primary to make our school and the wider community a more eco-friendly place to live and work.  In recognition of our work we have received our Bronze and Silver awards and this year we hope to apply for our Green Flag.  Keep checking here for updates and information on the work we are doing within the school.