Eco-friendly pupils are flying the flag

Village school wins award for protecting environment

Pupils at a village school have proved they are real eco warriors by working hard to get their first Green Flag.

The children of Lochwinnoch Primary School have hoisted the Green Flag that they received from the Eco Schools organisation in recognition of their work in protecting the environment.

Acting principal teacher Anne Menzies said: “It’s our first Green Flag. We had to carry out a lot of eco work last year throughout the school.

“So we were focussing on litter, biodiversity and recycling.

“We picked up litter in the school grounds and we went around the village.

“There was a lot in the school grounds, so the grounds are now looking a lot tidier.

“And we did a couple of litter picks around the village, and the last one we did there was less litter to pick up, so there was an improvement.”

Bug hotels and hedgehog houses were just two of the things built by the pupils as part of their focus on biodiversity.

“And we took part in the RSPB Big Birdwatch,” Mrs Menzies said.

“And we also grew a range of vegetables in our polytunnel.”

Recycling was a major part of Lochwinnoch Primary’s eco drive.

Anne added: “We started recycling in our playground.

“And we recycled food in our lunch hall as well, and reduced the amount of plastic we are using.”

As a further part of the school’s drive to improve the environment, the children planted an amazing 250 aspen trees around the village.

And this task didn’t take as long as it sounds, as Anne explained: “It wasn’t too long when you had a lot of children helping.”

The Eco Schools Green Flag will now be a permanent feature at the school.

“We can apply for more flags. There will be more work this year and in the future,” added Anne.

The school staff and pupils expressed their thanks to all the individuals and organisations who help them in their environmental work.