Rainford High goes green!

Students and staff at Rainford High celebrated all things to do with the environment.

Keen to raise awareness and do its bit for the planet, the school hosted a range of activities which encouraged individuals to think about what needs to be done in order to create a more sustainable future.

Every lunchtime during the week, students and staff had the opportunity to build eco bricks. These unique bricks are a means of utilising single use, non-recyclable plastics and can be used to build homes in less developed countries. Over 10 bricks were made during the week, with more to be made over the year which will be sent to the Ecobrick network for distribution around the world.

The ‘Cans’ film festival was held in the library on Thursday and Friday, and students were tasked with bringing a recyclable can or bottle in return for watching a film with an environmental message. WALL-E was shown in order to highlight the importance of environmental responsibility for the future of the planet.

A clothes swap shop was also set up in order to raise awareness of the effects of fast fashion. Students have been asked to bring in a piece of clothing they no longer wear and swap it for something another student had brought in. Any items that aren’t claimed will be donated to CAREUK for Syrian refugees.

In addition, a toy recycling scheme was introduced to highlight just how many children’s toys are made of plastic that cannot be recycled. Staff asked for donations of old toys, or toys from incomplete sets or that were slightly broken. The aim is to repair them to sell at the Christmas Fayre in aid of Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

Finally, guest speaker Jessica Edlin came into Rainford High from Scarisbrick School. She talked to students about her initiatives to reduce single use plastic at her school and in her community.

Ian Young, principal at Rainford High, said: “As a school we are always keen to highlight the importance of sustainability to students and staff. Awareness weeks such as this get everyone talking and questioning their behaviour towards the environment.

“We identified that break and lunchtimes are a key point during the day as students purchase drinks and food in the canteen, and so we’ve installed huge window graphics in order to create an impact and get everyone thinking about their actions.

“We look forward to rolling out more eco initiatives into school later this term.”