Friday 30 January 2015

Earth Hour 28th March 8.30pm



P4-7 Eco Green Flag Celebration Assembly

 
To celebrate the success of receiving our third Green Flag from Eco Schools Scotland we held a special Eco Assembly on Friday 30th January. Representing last year's Eco Reps (who worked with Mr Kearton), Jessica from P7C ably took us through our Eco journey since joining Eco Schools in 2008 (when Jessica was in Primary One).

Sahaj from P7B, representing this year's Eco Reps, was confident and comprehensive in explaining our current Eco initiatives and how we have already begun, capably led by P3 Class Teacher Miss Gallagher, to aim for our fourth Green Flag by 2016. Thank you also to Theo from P7A who supported Jessica and Sahaj in preparing their presentation.

Well done all!

http://sciennespseco.blogspot.co.uk

http://sciennespseco.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/p7-eco-rap-tributes-to-isaac.html




Wednesday 28 January 2015

Third Eco Schools Green Flag!


Wonderful news today that Sciennes received our third Eco Schools Green Flag!

Alastair Davidson and Briony McLaughin from Eco Schools (part of the Keep Scotland Beautiful charity) met with pupil Eco Reps on Tuesday 25th January to assess the Eco work of the school over the last two years. The children were absolutely superb and made an obvious impression, showing their knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, all the various Eco projects in and around school. Alastair gave us some very helpful feedback and advice for taking developments forward, including establishing air quality monitoring in Sciennes Road, and had a very positive and encouraging manner with the children.

A very special thank you to Mr Kearton for all his enthusiasm and drive with Eco - our reps from last year were particularly animated in relaying all their achievements with him. Miss Kirsty Gallagher, P3 Class Teacher, is doing an amazing job of leading the new and old reps this year and brings so much experience of Eco from Prestonfield (where she also secured a Green Flag for the school). The award is also in recognition of all the hard work of Miss Alison Mackintosh as well as Mr Kearton over the last two years and of the whole team efforts in supporting Eco throughout the school - Ms Christie, Mrs Noble, Ms Anstruther, Mr Scott and Mr Reid, with the entire staff, carrying on the great work done by Ms Emma Kidd in securing our first Green Flag and Ms Claire Phillips and Ms Mel Ross in securing our Second. Grateful thanks to Parent Council members Corrine and Phoebe who have provided such sterling support to the school over many years with the Wildlife Garden, planting and harvesting vegetables for P3 soup making, as well as helping pupils create our fantastic Eco Display board. It was wonderful to have Corrine attend the inspection visit. Alastair commented favourably on the great work in Food Focus Fortnight by Miss Shona Pearmain and thought Ms Anstruther's Sensory Room is an exciting, innovative resource. Mr McKenna's Science provision in P3-P7 was also credited during the inspection. Alastair was enthusiastic about plans to focus on 'School Grounds' and 'Transport' Eco topics over the next two years, recognising the tremendous existing achievements in Cycling and the ambitious plans for the Playground already in place. Great team effort - pupils, staff and parents.

Well done, everyone!

Eco Reps conducted a tour for our visitors and all were very articulate and passionate about sharing all their efforts with Eco:


When
Where
What
Who
10am
Gate
Meet Visitors Meet Team
Overview on iPads
P4 Reps; Miss Gallagher
Miss Gallagher; Ms Gallagher; All Reps; Corrine
P7 reps: Sahaj and Theo. P4 reps return to class
10.10am
Ms Gallagher’s Room
10.10am
P7C Classroom
Eco Rap videos; Classroom recycling; ChangeWorks; technology
P7 reps: Jessica and Alexander (P7C early break 10.25am)
10.20am
P5 Classroom - Isaac
Winner of Eco Pledge competition; Rainforest
P5 reps
10.25am
New Kitchen
Food Focus; Smoothie Bike
P5 reps (then return to class)
10.30am
Eco Display board
Phoebe and Corinne parent helpers helped create display; Litter, Waste and Energy; Eco Pledge; City Chambers presentation; Lauriston Castle
P6 reps: Rose, Ava ; Corrine
10.35am
Science Base
Learning about the environment through Science
Sahaj; Mr McKenna
10.40am
P1 Classroom
Daily fruit; fruit on a Friday; fruit waste bins; water cooler; P7 flood workshops
Theo
10.45am
Basement and Boiler Room
Recycling bins
Thermal image camera
Theo, Sahaj, Jessica, Mr Reid
10.50am
ICT Suite
Default double sided/black and white printing. Fewer printers. Automatic switch off of computers at 5pm
Ava, Peigidh
Bike pods
For staff
Ava, Peigidh
10.55am
Eco Garden
Sowing, maintaining and harvesting vegetables for P3 Soup; greenhouse
P3 pupils from Miss Gallagher’s class; Rose, Sophie, Jane; Corrine
11.05am
Dining Hall
Food waste reduced – stickers for finishing meal. Food waste bins
Esther, Peigidh
11.10am
Sensory Room
Health and Wellbeing improvements
Esther; Ms Anstruther
11.15am
Playground
Plans, Wildlife Garden; bamboo, hedge, herb garden, litter bins; food waster
Laiba, Ava, Sahaj; ; Ms Christie
Playground
Cycle Training P1-P6, Cycle Friendly School Award, Cycle to School Days, bike sheds, loan bikes and helmets; Cycle Adventures; Bike Club
P6 reps– Sophie, Rose, Peigidh, Jane, Esther; Ms Christie
11.30-12pm
Ms Gallagher’s Room
Review documentation, question and answer with staff
Miss Gallagher, Ms Christie, Ms Gallagher
P4 Lucy, Alice, Calum
P5 Seamus, Eric, Ryan, Evelyn, Sarah, Layla 

P6 Peigidh, Jane, Esther, Rose, Sophie, Laiba 
P7 Theo, Sahaj, Alexander, Jessica, Ava

Monday 26 January 2015

Sciennes Eco Pledge

Eco Rap by Isaac P5C

Yo, my name is Mr Eco
and I like no litter
If it's clean and green
It makes it all glitter

My mate called Bob
He's always in his car
Driving up and down
But he doesn't get far

The problem with the car?
It creates pollution
It looks really cool
But it's not a solution

So when you go to school
You better take your bike
And maybe your little sister
Can take her trike

And if your Mum and Dad
Always wanna drive
You gotta tell them,
They're polluting the skies

So walk or bike
And you'll be Eco
What does this spell?
E-C-O Eco!

P7C Eco Rap Tributes to Isaac!

Primary 7C were very impressed by the new ECO rap (written by Isaac in P5). Here are some of the videos they created using Isaac's words.













Monday 19 January 2015

Eco - Where Are We and What Next?

 CLICK HERE FOR ECO PLANNING 2013-2016 which shows ECO progress to date and is being added to throughout the year.

Miss Kirsty Gallagher, P3 Class Teacher, is our new Eco Leader and she has made sure our Eco Team of old and new reps has had a very productive start to the year 2014/2015.

The group has decided to maintain their work on ENERGY, WASTE and LITTER as well as tackling two new topics in 2014/2015 and 2015/2016:
* SCHOOL GROUNDS
* TRANSPORT


WHAT HAVE WE ACHIEVED IN THE LAST TWO YEARS AND WHERE NEXT?
CLICK to see examples of Eco at Sciennes Primary School in 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 


Litter
2012-2013 MAJOR FOCUS
* designated pupils to use new litter pickers in the playground and encourage use of bins
* new bins in playground
* raise awareness of reducing hand towel litter in toilets particularly
* clean up campaign, litter picking in surrounding area
* School bins replaced with much smaller bins and recycling facilities improved

Litter
2013-2014 MAJOR FOCUS
* Clean Up Campaign, litter picking in area surrounding school
* Food waste bins introduced in classrooms and playground as part of CEC pilot
* Poster campaign planned to reinforce anti-littering
* Designated pupils use litter pickers and encourage use of bins
* Clearly marked recycling facilities reduce litter in classrooms
* Anita Sharkey, Waste Officer CEC gave presentation to Eco Team about new food waste initiative
* Eco Reps and Business Manager addressed Assemblies about new food waste bins



Litter

2014-2016 MAJOR FOCUS
*Designated pupils use litter pickers and encourage use of bins
*Clearly marked and plentiful recycling facilities reduce litter
*Food Waste Initiative continues
*Food waste bins in school and playground
*Spring Clean Up
*ChangeWorks Litter Assembly


Sustaining Our World
2012-2013 MAJOR FOCUS
* Plant for the Planet Conference for Cluster Eco Reps
* Tree planting in wildlfe garden - cherry, rowan and birch saplings from Woodland Trust
* Plant for the Planet Climate Ambassadors spread Eco messages
* whole school Crazy Hat Crazy Hair fundraising for Plant for the Planet
* Recycling facilities improved, including clearer signage
* Ongoing efforts to reduce paper usage and to recycle
* ChangeWorks Waste Minimisation P7 Citizenship Conference
* P5 pupil inspired to unicycle across Forth Road Bridge to raise funds for Plant for the Planet Brianna Unicycles for P4P

Sustaining Our World
2013-2014
* Whole school Ragbag Collection
* Eco Team Ragbag
* Anita Sharkey, Waste Officer CEC addressed Eco Rep
* Food Waste pilot school for City of Edinburgh Council
* Food waste bins introduced at Assemblies by Eco Reps
* Reducing, Reusing and Recycling promoted in school to minimise waste
* New printers default to two sided printing, in black and white


Sustaining Our World
2014-2015
*New whole school Eco Pledge
*Whole School Rag Bag Appeal raised £200 for playground
*CEC Food Waste Reduction Initiative continues
*Food Waste bins in school and playground
*Double sided black and white default for printing
*ChangeWorks Interactive Workshop for P7 3Rs
*ChangeWorks Waste Reduction Assembly P4-7
*P5 Rainforest topic
*Fairtrade Fortnight
*Earth Hour
*Energy Reduction Initiative Continues


Transport
2012-2013
* Awarded Cycle Friendly School
* Cycle Training undertaken with P1- P5 (15 classes) in curricular time as new initiative
* 6 week Cycle Training for three P6 classes
* Cycle to School Days organised for families::Big Pedal Days
* Cycling Family Picnic organised
* Promotion of Pedal Scotland in press and in STV news bulletin
* Pupils promote Sky Ride Cycling in press and TV
* Pupil cyclists meet Keith Brown MSP - press and TV coverage
* Three P6 classes at Transgression Park cycling, scooting and skateboarding
* P5 Cycling in the Meadows
* New P1 Balance Bikes from Bike Trax
* Bike Week promoted and celebrated
* Walk to School Week promoted

Transport
2013-2014
* Extra Curricular Bike Club established
* 6 week Cycle Training block for three P6 classes
* Cycle to School Days for Families
* Bike Week promoted and celebrated
* Walk to School Week promoted


Transport

2014-2016 MAJOR FOCUS
*JRSOs
*Active Travel
*Cycle to School Days for Families
*6  week P6 Cycle Training block
*P6 Cycle Adventure
*P6 Sustrans Heroes awarded
*Whole School Road Safety Week
*Park Safe Campaign
*20mph Campaign
*P1-3 Road Safety Magic Show
*Safer School Streets Initiative
*Bike Week
*P1 Cycling Sessions
*Active Travel Plan updated
*Active Travel Survey undertaken with parents/carers
*Hands Up Pupil Active Travel Survey
*Extra-Curricular Bike Club continues
*Tram Safety Talks at Infant and upper Assemblies from Road Safety Officer
*Road Safety Officer at Road Safety Assembly during Road Safety Week
*HT and Sciennes parents feature on STV News re School Streets Road Closure
*JRSOs launched Brake's Road Safety Week at City Chambers
*P4 lead Road Safety Week Assembly - Be Bright, Be Seen


Energy
2012-2013
* Energy watchdogs - pupils monitor and report on energy use in classrooms
* Monthly Energy Watchdog competition - winning class posted on Eco Board and announced at Assembly

Energy
2013-2014 MAJOR FOCUS
* City of Edinburgh Energy Reduction pilot
* Smoothie Bike to demonstrate what energy is
* Energy Watchdog campaign - stickers and posters, Assemblies, Blog
* Information regularly updated on Eco blog
* Thermal imaging camera to show heat loss in builiding
* Energy use data monitored and analysed
* Switch Off Fortnight Campaign


Energy
2014-2015
*Sustaining CEC Energy Reduction Campaign
*ECO Leader attended Energy CPD
*Energy Watchdogs
*Switch Off Fortnight
*Promote Earth Hour
*If now available, analyse energy usage data
*CEC Small Steps Campaign
*November Energy Month
*Use of POD Resources
*Eco Team receive  POD 'Switch Off Monitor' badges
*Thermal Imaging Camera Session with Eco Team
*Smoothie Bike Feb 2015


Health and Wellbeing
2012-2013
* The Edinburgh Green Trust work with P4 to plant strawberries, red currants and rhubarb
* P3 plant and harvest vegetables to make soup
* Apothecarist works with P7 to make potpourri using herbs from Herb Garden
* Fruit Group parents provide Fruit on a Friday for all classes
* Cluster Health and Wellbeing audit and programme produced
* Junior Award Scheme Scotland in P6/7 encourages pupils to Get Active, Stay Active

Health and Wellbeing
2013-2014
* Health and Wellbeing Cluster programme implemented.
* Food focus implemented in response to Health and Wellbeing cluster and school audits
* New kitchen built and fully equipped using supermarket vouchers and PTA funding
* Food Focus Interdisciplinary Learning week and ongoing use of kitchen by classes
* School Council Health and Wellbeing subgroup established
* Fruit Group parents provide Fruit on a Friday for ...
* Junior Award Scheme Scotland in P6/7 encourages pupils to Get Active, Stay Active
* Two hours of PE for all classes


Health and Wellbeing
2014-2015
*Health and Wellbeing is a School Improvement Focus
*Food Focus Fortnight established annually
*New kitchen well used by all classes
*Parent Council Health and Wellbeing Subgroup
*Parent Council Fruit Group provide fruit for all pupils each Friday
*Junior Award Scheme Scotland recognises wider achievement in P6/7
*Two hours of quality PE each week
*Two PE Specialist Teachers
*Swimming and additional lunchtime sessions for non swimmers
*Many sporting opportunities
*Lunchtime Running Club and after school Cross Country well attended
*Health and Wellbeing Inservice led by Principal Officer Mental Health Patricia Santelice
*Creating Confident Parent Sessions
*Most staff have attended Creating Confident Staff 8 week CPD
*DHT led Mindfulness CPD with guest speakers and educational psychologists
*Seasons for Growth in P5 and Infant classes
*Emotion Talk CPD
*P6 Benmore Outdoor Residential
*P7 Lagganlia Outdoor Residential
*Pupil Voice through Pupil Council, Eco Group and JRSOs
*New lunchtime basketball club for  P5-7 girls Tuesdays and Thursdays
*Staff Massage
*Sensory Room established
*P6 Pupil Support Group
*Emotion Talk Inservice
*Staff using Emotion Talk in class; modelled by Rhona Kennedy

Food and the Environment
2012-2013
* P3 make soup using vegetables harvested from Eco Garden
* New Herb and Fruit Garden created and planted in front playground
* The Edinburgh Green Trust work with P4 to plant strawberries, red currants and rhubarb
* ChangeWorks workshop at P7 Conference
* Harvest Appeal - Whole School Send A Cow to Africa Appeal

Food and the Environment
2013-2014 MAJOR FOCUS
* Health and Wellbeing Cluster programme implemented.
* New kitchen built in school and fully equipped
* Whole school Food Focus Week
* Ongoing use of kitchen by all classes
* Ration recipes recreated by P7 linked to WW2 project
* P5 Smoothie Challenge, "The Apprentice" style
* P3 make soup using vegetables harvested from Eco Garden and herbs from new Herb and Fruit Garden
* Harvest Appeal - Whole School North West Edinburgh Foodbank Appeal


Food and the Environment
2014-2015
*Health and Wellbeing Cluster (including healthy eating) programme embedded
*Kitchen regularly used by all classes
*Whole school annual Food Focus Fortnight embedded
*P1-3 Free School Meals
*Parent Council prepare fruit on a Friday for all pupils
*Soil Association Standards in School Meals introduced - first Council in Scotland to achieve Bronze
*P3 Soup making using vegetables harvested from Eco Garden
*P5 Smoothie Challenge, "The Apprentice" style
*P3 Food and Farming topic
*P3 led Harvest Appeal for NW Edinburgh Foodbank
*P7 Minsetrone Soup Making for JASS
*Extension to Dining Hall funded by CEC 2015-16


School Grounds
2012-2013
* New Quiet Area established in front playground
* Steven Lui Memorial Garden established
* School Council Buildings and Facilities Group continue to explore and develop plans to extend playground with land from Sick Kids
* Quadrangle beside Hut Classrooms developed
* The Edinburgh Green Trust work with P4 to plant strawberries, red currants and rhubarb
* Outdoor Learning Champions increase use of Wildlife Garden in curriculum, particularly P1 and P2
* Pupil Council replant tubs in playground

School Grounds
2013-2014
* New Playground Improvement Group set up
* School Council Buildings and Facilities Group liaison
* Parental and pupil surveys undertaken
* Playground Improvement Blog set up and maintained
* Area surrounding trees in playground resurfaced
* Playground around Amphitheatre resurfaced
* Amphitheatre wooden fence removed
* Architecture students work with pupils to develop playground
* Basketball net in rear playground used by P7 pupils by invitation
* P7 using Meadows park at lunch break earlier in session
* Use of Wildlfe Garden within curriculum promoted
* P3 and P4 pupils as well as Eco Reps and Pupil Council take responsibility for Eco Garden
* Pupil Council replant tubs in playground


School Grounds

2014-2016 MAJOR FOCUS
*Major Whole School Focus on Improving grounds
*Main focus for  school fundraising - £35,000 raised to date
*Playground Improvement Group regularly meet
*Grounds for Learning Funding Application
*Plans to redevelop rear playground
*Playground Blog maintained
*Outdoor Learning with classes in Eco and Wildlife Gardens
*Buildings and Facilities Parent Council group lobbying, consulting and planning
*Pupil Council assisting with planning improvements
*Pupil Council and Parent Council visited Cramond Primary
*P7 using Meadows in Autumn term as well as in Autumn, Spring and Summer
*Pupil Council replant tubs in playground
*Potential road closure in Sciennes Road Aug 2015
*1 of 5 pilot schools selected for School Streets timed road closure
*Ragbag Appeal - funds raised to be used for Eco projects in school grounds
*Eco Team planted donated bamboo
*Playground Info Evening held Nov 2014
*Information about playground shared with pupils and staff
*Donated hedging planted
*Sport Scotland application submitted
*Consultation on playground plans with pupils, staff and parents


Biodiversity
2012-2013
* Plant for the Planet tree planting with Woodland Trust
* The Edinburgh Green Trust work with P4 to plant
* P4 classes working with Earth Calling as Wildlife
* attract more wildlife to the garden spaces at Sciennes
* P3 classes, Eco Reps, parents, PSAs maintain Eco Garden - plants and vegetables

Biodiversity
2013-2014
* New Herb and Fruit garden developed and planted in front playground
* P3 pupils, Eco Reps and Pupil Council maintain Eco Garden
* Herb and fruit garden maintained
* Wildlife Garden used by classes to support learning


Biodiversity
2014-2015
*Herb and Fruit garden maintained
*P3 pupils and ECO reps maintain ECO Garden
*Wildlife Garden used for Outdoor Learning
*P7 Water of Leith visit promotes awareness of Biodiversity
*P5 Botanic Gardens trip promotes awareness of biodiversity in Rainforest,
*P3 Food and Farming includes planting, tending and harvesting crops in Eco Garden
 *Earth Calling After School Club

Waste Minimisation
2014-2015
*Very good recycling facilities and procedures in school
*Waste reduction ongoing e.g small bins
*Reduce, Reuse, Recycle promoted in school
*ChangeWorks 3Rs Interactive P7 workshop with voting tools
*ChangeWorks 3Rs P4-7 Assembly
*Printers default to two sided printing, in black and white

Water
2014-2015
*P7 Flood Model workshops from Heriot-Watt
*P7 Rivers topic
*Pupils encouraged to bring reusable water bottle daily
*Tap and filtered drinking water available for pupils and staff
*P7 World Water Week
* P3 'Just a Drop' safe water, saved lives workshop

New Games in the Playground

Great to see pupils making up lots of new games in and around the hedging, bamboo and logs.