By Galloway News
Colvend Primary School has received its eighth Green Flag Award, recognising the school鈥檚 long-term dedication to environmental education and sustainability. The school has demonstrated a comprehensive, integrated, and continuing commitment to environmental issues through its ongoing work within the school and local community. Head teacher, Aleksandra Stores, said: 鈥淥ur small rural school enables every pupil to actively participate in the Eco Committee, fostering a strong sense of environmental responsibility across the school and the wider community.鈥 The school鈥檚 P6 Eco representative, added: 鈥淏y carrying out an environmental review we created an Action Plan and decided how we would measure each action鈥檚 impact and then linked them to our curriculum.鈥 The school involves every pupil as well as the local community. Pupils reported that attending Colvend allows them to access the outdoors. Being outside is great for learning and good for their wellbeing and staying healthy. The Action Plan included pupils accessing learning sessions in 鈥楾he Climate Ready Classroom鈥, class and beach visits with the Crichton Carbon Centre as well as a visit and tour at Bainloch Deer Park. Mrs Stores added: 鈥淲e are very lucky to have so many stakeholders who invest their time and effort into supporting Colvend Primary, allowing the pupils to have such rich learning experiences and address important climatic issues. The pupils鈥 actions really do have an impact.鈥 As Eco-Schools is a pupil led programme, each topic was chosen by the Eco-Committee. Pupils chose: Health and Wellbeing, Biodivesity and Climate Action which also included two litter picks at Kippford and in the school grounds and community recreation field. Visit from local artist The Colvend pupils were delighted by a visit from local artist Philippa Sinclair, who talked to them about the coastline and what they might include in their paintings. Pupils chose the colours and the focus in their work which produced some super results. A huge thank you to Philippa for giving the children a great opportunity to use their skills and for supporting the school.