Charlotte
Good morning, everybody.
Today marks the beginning of Sustainability Week at ߣÍÃÊÓƵ. Before we tell you about those activities, I'd like to share a story.
In the 1970s, a woman called Wangari Maathai was travelling through rural Kenya. She noticed forests disappearing, rivers drying up and farmland becoming less productive. The problem seemed huge. Most people would have looked at the challenge and felt powerless. But Wangari asked herself a simple question: "What is one positive action I can take today?" Her answer was simple. She planted a tree. Then she encouraged others to do the same. One tree became many, and over time communities across Kenya joined together in what became known as the Green Belt Movement. Her work was not easy. She faced criticism, discrimination and even arrest because she refused to stop standing up for the environment. Yet she persevered. In 2004, she became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. She didn't receive that honour because she planted millions of trees. She received it because she had the courage to plant the first one. Her story reminds us that positive change starts when someone decides to act. Today, each of us has the opportunity to do exactly that.
Jarry
This year ߣÍÃÊÓƵ was awarded the Eco-Schools Green Flag with Merit. That recognition reflects the hard work of pupils, staff and the Eco Committee, but we are ambitious. Our next goal is Green Flag with Distinction. We already have a great deal to be proud of. Around the school you can see solar panels, green roofs, air-source heat pumps, wildflower areas, tree planting and native hedges that support biodiversity. The school now purchases electricity from renewable sources and none of our waste is sent directly to landfill. These projects show what is possible when a community works together towards a shared goal. This week is our opportunity to build on that success. There are activities taking place throughout the week, including our BioBlitz survey of school wildlife, apple pressing, flower giveaways, bake sales and Friday's Sustainability Sounds Concert.
Please look out for details in the tutor bulletin and around school. But there is one challenge that we would like every pupil to support.
Tom
This week we are launching our Clean Plate Challenge. Every day at ߣÍÃÊÓƵ we produce around 250 kilograms of food waste. Disposing of that waste costs the school approximately £550 every day, adding up to almost £100,000 over the course of a year. Food waste is not just about money. Every item of food that ends up in the bin has already used land, water, energy and transport to produce it. When food is wasted, those resources are wasted too. The good news is that this is something every one of us can help to change. This week, think carefully before choosing your lunch. Take only what you know you will eat. If you're unsure, start with a smaller portion and come back for more. Most importantly, try to waste as little food as possible. If we all make one small change, together we can make a significant difference
Charlotte
Final Challenge
I'd like to finish with the same question that Wangari Maathai asked herself: "What is my tree?" What is the one action I can take this week to make ߣÍÃÊÓƵ a little greener, cleaner and more sustainable? Perhaps it's recycling properly. Perhaps it's picking up litter. Perhaps it's taking part in one of the Sustainability Week activities. Or perhaps it's simply making sure less food ends up in the bin. Whatever it is, don't underestimate the power of small actions. Wangari Maathai changed lives because she planted one tree and inspired others to join her. If each of us commits to one positive action this week, together we can make a real difference.
Finally, today is Teacher Appreciation Day. We would like to thank all of the staff for the commitment, care and support they provide every day, and encourage you to take a moment to do the same.