EcoSchool

An Eco School

In 2005 we achieved the Eco Schools Award for a fourth time which gives us permanent Eco status. This prestigious title, awarded by the Tidy Britain Group, recognises the outstanding contribution made by Northgate High School pupils towards the protection and preservation of our environment. The Eco-group has been involved in a variety of activities including taking part in a conference at which the Education Secretary was present. Current activities of the Eco-committee include running the Green Classroom Award to recognise the most environmentally friendly tutor group, and looking at the feasibility of erecting a small wind turbine. We continue to recycle paper and we have set up a recycling scheme for printer cartridges.

2005 - 2006

PERMANENT ECO-SCHOOLS STATUS

On September 21 st 2005 Northgate became the first school in East Anglia to be awarded permanent eco-schools status and one of only a handful of secondary schools in the UK to have earned the prestigious green flag for the fourth time.

The assessors were impressed by the work that staff and pupils at Northgate are continuing to do to try to manage the school in an environmentally friendly manner and they particularly enjoyed meeting the pupil members of the eco-committee.

It is hoped that the award can be presented to the school in a special ceremony early in the Spring Term.

PAPER AND INK RECYCLING

In order to try to cut down on our paper consumption a print manager system has been installed on the school computer network. This limits the amount of sheets of paper students can use in any one week. The system was paid for by money accrued in recycling credits from the paper bank. We have also started a print cartridge recycling scheme. Old cartridges can be sent into school and these too will be a source on income for the eco-group.

ECO-SCHOOLS CONFERENCE

On November 25th a conference was held for Year 8 pupils from Northgate and five other Norfolk secondary schools. Representatives came from Costessey High, City of Norwich High. Hewett High, Hethersett High and King Edward VII High.

The delegates were entertained by Dr Ken of Inspire Theatre who presented his show ‘How to save the planet in 45 minutes’ and then Year 10 members of the school eco-team gave a presentation about the work that the school eco-team does.

In the afternoon experts led workshops on issues such as energy use, school transport, and waste reduction and recycling. Many thanks to the County environment Advisor Sue Falch-Lovesey who organised and funded this event

CITIZENSHIP CONFERENCE

Five Year 11 pupils ran a workshop on climate change at a special conference about citizenship held at Barnham Broom Hotel at the beginning of October.

Many thanks to Jade Riches, Amy Livesey, Melissa Simmons, Naomi Sturman and Georgina Edwards. They gave an excellent presentation and then led a discussion on the lifestyle changes we all need to make if we are to reduce our impact on the planet.

WIND TURBINE

We have now put in an application for planning permission to Breckland District Council and two applications for funding to grant funding bodies.

Thank you to all parents and pupils for responding to questionnaires. The responses were very positive with 100% support from parents and 95% support from pupils.

2004 - 2005

In 2004 we achieved the Eco Schools award for a fourth time. This prestigious title, awarded by the Tidy Britain Group, recognises the outstanding contribution made by Northgate High School pupils towards the protection and preservation of our environment. The Eco-group has been involved in a variety of activities including making a presentation to Argos Executives in London on the issues involved in the recycling of Argos catalogues.

Year 7 Environment Day - 12th July 2005

'Eco Pupils'