Promotion of ESD in School Development Plans

The ETI evaluation of School Development Planning has identified the important role of Education for Sustainable Development. The Sustainable Develop Strategy points out that it is important that our young people, the citizens of tomorrow, develop the skills, knowledge, attitudes and behavours needed to live more sustainably through their nformal and informal education. It is expected that ESD will appear in School Development Plans and that students should have experiences inside and outside the classroom. It is pleasing to see the department has recommended the Guidance to ESD produced and circulated by the five Education Board and available on the clounagh vle.

Read the ETI consultation at:

http://www.deni.gov.uk/review_of_sdp_regulations_-_consultation_document_february_2010.doc

ECO Work at Woods Primary School

Magician Marvin visited Woods Primary School with his ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’ magic show on Friday 6th November 2009. The event was sponsored by Cookstown District Council. Pictured with him are some of the members of the School ECO Committee.

The School recently received the ECO Schools Green Flag Award and the committee received a new textile clothing bank in September to help the local community to recycle more.

The school has taken part in the ‘Primary School Energy Efficiency Programme’ and is currently trying to reduce their energy consumption.

ECO Schools NI Newsletter

The December 2009 issue of the Eco-Schools NI Newsletter is now online. You can download it from http://www.tidynorthernireland.org/eco-schools/publications/index.php

Sustainable Schools

In Northern Ireland the term Sustainable Schools has been used to describe schools who have enough pupils to remain open. Elsewhere in the UK and Europe this term is very much linked to Sustainable Development and describes schools where the whole community is involved in caring for their school and local environment.

Visit the Teachernet sustainable schools pages to find out more and see some of the planning and resources. http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/sustainableschools/framework/framework_detail.cfm

Darkley Primary School gains first Green Flag

On 20th November 2009 Darkley Primary School received their first Green Flag. They also celebrated securing a highly commended in the Best Kept Schools’ competition. Congratulations to everyone involved.

News from ECO school committees

Recently the ECO committee in three schools emailled me to share what they had done to gain an ECO Green Flag.
1. Killylea Primary School who have just been awarded their third Green Flag focused on the area of sustainable transport and their campaign successfully changed the views of parents and children about travelling to school. This school is also celebrating being one of the finalists in the Sustainable Ireland Awards.
2. Drumadonnell Primary School's committee led campaigns against litter and energy waste and encouraged healthy eating.
3. The ECO Warriors of St Joseph's Primary School, Bessbrook reminded everyone to switch of lights and save energy.

Congratulations to all three schools.

ECO committees join the blog and tell me what you've been doing.

ECO-UNESCO's Young Environmentalist Awards 2010

Take part in Ireland's all island awards programme for young people between the ages of 12 and 18, by carrying out an environmental project in your local area.
Registration Deadline 27th November 2009
Contact ECO-UNESCO for more details
email info@ecounesco.ie or visit the website http://www.ecounesco.ie