Welcome to The Network

Welcome to the latest edition of Network News. This edition focuses on waste education in Secondary Schools.

Waste is a key issue for Secondary Schools: the volume of waste produced, how we dispose of it, cost and, of course, incorporating waste topics into the curriculum.  Influencing young people’s attitudes to waste can have a major impact well beyond the school community.  In addressing these issues however, there are a number of apparent difficulties unique to the Secondary School.

Firstly apathy.  We often hear of the difficulty of motivating ‘lazy’ teens compared with their enthusiastic Primary counterparts. As with most stereotypes, this is certainly not true of most schools.  Around 20 Scottish Secondary’s have now achieved the Eco-Schools ‘Green-Flag’ Award, meaning that they are models of sustainability and environmental good practice.  At Balfron High, this year we are confident of meeting this standard and are among the many hundreds who have already achieved their Bronze and Silver awards.

Read about more Eco-Schools success stories and training days in the Education, Training and Resources section of this issue, which includes information about other staff development opportunities and useful resources for schools.

Secondary staff may also struggle with time to develop materials for waste-related topics and fit them into an already busy curriculum.  With a simple audit of the curriculum for waste-related issues, most schools will find that they are covered to some extent in many subject areas: recycling in science subjects; landfill in Geography; re-using materials in Technical Education etc. and this is a good foundation to build on. In our Focus On section you will see how Emma Speirs, of Kilchuimen Academy, has incorporated waste and recycling topics into her Chemistry lessons, using hands-on exercises and project work.  Also the Top 10 Tips shows how Secondary teachers can incorporate waste issues into their own subject.

Games and competitions also make waste education more stimulating and rewarding and the SEPA board game ‘Sorted’ is one such resource.  Find out how to get your free copy in the NWS Update. Also check out the art competition and Glasgow & Clyde Valley Schools Waste Management competition. Also, for more information about what is happening in your local area, visit Your Network

There’s plenty that secondary schools can do to address waste issues and plenty of resources available.  The main requirement is commitment from staff and from the pupils themselves.  Finally, thanks to The Network team for giving me the opportunity to edit this issue and keep up the good work!

Paul  Rodger
(Principal Teacher of Pupil Support & Eco-Schools Co-ordinator, Balfron High School)