Summer Term council meeting minutes

15th July 2024

Eco Councillors were very fortunate to meet our local Councillor Mr. Ashley Lister who came to our school ,St. Patricks Primary today. The Eco councillors asked Mr. Lister questions and discussed issues relating to parking around the school, donation of food items for Big Bocs Bwyd and making Grangetown, litter free and clean. Thank You Mr. Lister for your time and continued support.  Please find our pictures in the Summer Term activity folder.    

14th June 2024

Eco Councillors have made St. Patricks very proud today by achieving the second GreenFlag award. Well done to them and kudos to their enthusiasm for making a difference in our school, local community and for their help in saving our planet. 

5th June 2024

World Environment Day- The Eco Councillors made a great impact on the whole school by conducting an assembly and educating pupils and staff on the importance of saving their world. They taught us how we can follow the footsteps of 'Sofia the Sloth' as Sofia reminds us that stewardship is caring for God's gift. On this day the Councillor wanted everyone to wear white, green or blue to represent the Earth's colours. They gave us suggestions on how we can help like putting  rubbish in the bin, recycling plastic, cardboard and glass so that they can be reused, reuse items in a different way so you don’t have to throw them out, plant a tree and help keep the air healthy, walk, ride a bike, or catch a bus or train instead of driving, choose foods and fresh ingredients that aren’t wrapped in plastic, start a waste-free day at your school, turn off lights, turn off taps and start a waste-free day in your home. What way can you help? Please find the pictures of our assemble in the summer term activity folder. 

17th May 2024

It is World Environment Day on the 5th of June. The council members brainstormed for ideas and started preparing a presentation to explain the importance of saving the environment to the whole school. They understand that the future depends on our actions. Please find the pictures of today’s meeting in the summer term activity folder. 

14th May 2024

Outcomes from the current environmental review:

1. Biodiversity- Since the last review councillors found that there has been an increase in wildlife in the school as a pond has been constructed and pollinator friendly native plants including fruit and ornamental trees have been planted in the forest school and prayer garden. An area in forest school has been assigned as the 'uncut wild area'. There is a bird bath, bug hotel, log piles, and various other equipment to enhance and promote biodiversity. The school is free from using herbicides and pesticides and brambles are left uncut during bird nesting season. Pupils are given regular opportunities to observe and experience wildlife and are helping in promoting wildlife by making eco- friendly bird feeds, attending seminars and workshops and working with the local community. On the community level the councillors have conducted litter picking and planted trees and bulbs in the local planters in Grangetown. The students are more aware of the loss of biodiversity on a global level and are planning on making imovie to raise awareness in the community. The councillors are involved in the 'Uniform shop' and regularly help with 'Big Box Bwyd'.

2. Water- Councillors have checked taps and closed them when not in use often. 'Save Water' is the slogan that they have designed and are promoting the use of using rain water by creating posters and making sure pupils in school dispense the right amount of water at the right speed. They have spoken to the kitchen ladies and found out about the right use of water in the canteen by always using the dish washer/washing machine when its fully loaded and that the plug in the sink is put on when washing vegetables. Next, the councillors will investigate the potential source of water pollution in the community and have already started on how to save water in their homes. 

3. Waste Minimisation- The Eco Councillors were very happy to find that since the last review 'their school' has taken recycling very seriously. They have designed posters to educate students and teachers to recycle items in the right bins. The school has reduced the use of paper significantly and all communications are done via seesaw and e-newsletters. Children have been told to bring reusable water bottles and lunch containers. All school documents are in the school drive and no paper copies are encouraged.  The teachers have been asked to kindly photocopy on both sides and reuse envelopes etc. The councillors have keen interest in the swap shop and up-cycling programmes in school and the local community. The school nearly recycles items made of paper, plastic, cans, cardboard, clothes, batteries, glass, cooked food, ink cartridges, waste electrical equipment etc. 

The school is helping families by running projects that promote reduce, reuse and recycle.  

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Friday 3rd May 2024

The Eco Councillors took a vote and decided on a chairperson who would act as a facilitator at planning and running our meetings. He would be helping the group to deal with differences of opinion and resolve any conflicts, making sure everyone who is willing to speak has a fair chance. The councillors reflected on the environmental reviews that were carried on the 9th of October 2023. They were very pleased with the findings as lots of work has been carried out since then. The environmental reviews focused on biodiversity, water and waste minimisation in our school premises and our local community. Please find our pictures of today's meeting in the 'Summer Term Activity Folder'.