Eco-Schools Meeting Minutes 18/03/09
Minutes taken by Simon Duncan
Meeting 18 March 2009, Cross Keys Pub
Present
Simon Duncan, Angie Jefferys, Theresa Barnwell
1 - Travel Plan
AJ confirmed the school have had two visits by a representative of the local authority to help the school analyse how the children get to school and minimise potential traffic problems and reduce pollution. A grant of up to 5,000 is available from the local authority towards projects which encourage eco travel.
Perhaps a shelter could be purchased for children's bikes and scooters to encourage more local children to go on foot to school. Parents could park at the park and then walk across the village to school. Hooks for children's Wellington boots could be provided for the children. A reward system? Green feet stickers could be given to children at Monday smiley assemblies.
Action
AJ is working with Carolyn on the school travel plan and potential projects to apply for the relevant grants.
2 - Greenhouse
The school is hoping to enter a competition to win a Greenhouse. The school could then make use of its own compost, seed vegetables in the greenhouse to be planted in the school allotment. If a greenhouse could not be won then perhaps FORS could raise funds for a new Greenhouse.
Action
AJ will help coordinate the entrance for the Greenhouse competition, SD will research potential costs for a Greenhouse with 'Safety Glass' and approach FORS to enquire if they would help raising funds for a new Greenhouse.
3 - OWL / Energy monitor
Grant Slade has donated an OWL / energy monitor to the school and Grant will help AJ set up the monitor at the school. AJ will help the school analyse existing energy use for maths projects with the children and show the children how much energy can be saved if less equipment and lights are used.
Action
SD to confirm date with Grant to help AJ get the monitor working.
4 - ECO BAG
The winning design has now gone to the bag manufacturers for delivery of 250 bags to be sold at the school, summer fete and village day.
Action
SD chase to make sure the bag is delivered on time. July 4th school fete.
5 - Rain Forest teaching aids
Dave Evans suggested the school should investigate the following website for help with lesson plans : www.princesrainforestsproject.org/schools
6 - Chickens
Richard Livingston is still investigating the potential for chickens at the school and will present his ideas at the next meeting.
7 - Environmental Review
Carolyn had mentioned she had won a free Local Authority Environmental Review. We need a formal ECO review of the school to analyse the existing situation and identify ways we can improve school energy efficiency and recycling. We need a review and action points to obtain the Silver and then Green Flag Eco awards.
Action
SD contact Carolyn to push on with the formal review
8 - ECO Notice Board
AJ confirmed the school has offered the ECO team one of the outdoor notice boards.
Action
AJ will start posting updates on the notice board
9 - Rubbish and Recycling
George Berry has been in contact with the Local Authority and helped the school organise specialist recycling bins, compost and paper are being recycled but recycling card needs to be tackled.
10 - New Parents Evening
It was suggested that a representative from the ECO team presents to the new parents evening to explain ECO schools and all the new projects and to ask for more volunteers to get involved with the ECO work.
Action
SD to discuss this matter with Carolyn
11- Other Matters
AJ recommended using the Trowbridge Recycling Centre, Canal Road, 'possibly the best recycling centre in the west country' !
The children are going on a school trip to the Carrymore Environmental Centre to see a Recycling centre in action.
