New flag for eco champs
Outdoor learning at Fairview School
Children at Fairview School in Perth are celebrating after being awarded their third green eco flag.
The accolade was bestowed on the Fair City school owing to its commitment to biodiversity and outdoor learning.
Headteacher Fiona Gillespie explained: “We had a school theme around biodiversity looking at all sorts of different environments.
“Although we go out and about a lot, we need to create different environments within the school grounds, so we have planted some plants in tyres, planted sweetcorn in the gardens, we grow apples in our mini orchard, and we feed our chickens we have on site.
“We have some baby chicks now, so our young people know where their food comes from. The outdoor area has changed beyond recognition.
“We are absolutely delighted to get this eco flag. I think outdoor learning is so beneficial, particularly for our young people – they like to be outside.”
Ms Gillespie said everyone at the school is able to get involved, and they get a lot of support from different volunteers. She continued: “We also
Fairview pupils with their green flag had support from Scottish Water volunteers to move some soil for us, and we had some wooden planters made by Perth prison.
“We get parent volunteers coming in once a week as well to help maintain the grounds. Lots of people get involved.
“Everyone can get involved in some way, the whole school can contribute in whatever way they can. Lots of young people are getting stuck into the garden alongside the adults, and we do a lot of things outside that support life skills and can even support employment in the future.
“There is still more we want to do with the space we have and we want to create some different environments. We have plenty of ideas!”
The green flag is not yet flying at the school, but the children are hoping to see it put on display soon.
Ms Gillespie added: “We were going to put the flag up last week when we first got it, but we have had a swarm of honey bees so we haven’t had a chance to put it up yet.
“We will be putting it up as soon as we can.”