FEL Environmental Education Service
McLaren High School 'Plums' for New Orchard
As part of their on‐going Curriculum Challenge 20 S1 pupils were responsible for planting 12 fruit trees within the school grounds. It has been a long term plan to extend the facilities within the school grounds and we were fortunate to receive a grant from Central Scotland’s Green Network (CSGN).
The trees: plum, three varieties of apples and a cherry should provide educational opportunities in future years….and hopefully FRUIT.
Thanks go to all the staff that supported this venture, CSGN for the generous grant, Alastair Seaman of Grounds for Learning and mainly to S1 pupils for their efforts.
(Source: Yvonne King, McLaren High School, 23 June '11)
'More Trees, Please' for McLaren High School
On Wednesday, 2 March, thirty pupils and two members of staff from McLaren High School in Callander, took part in tree planting on the side of Loch Katrine. The trees, once established, will become part of the largest stretch of native woodland in the country.
In addition to planting hundreds of native trees, the pupils took part in two workshops based on the local environment. The pupils listened to a talk on deer management from one of the pupil’s parents. The tree planting and workshops fitted in well with the school’s aims within Curriculum for Excellence.
Thanks to Forestry Commission Scotland, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Rangers, Eco‐schools and all others who made this such a worthwhile and enjoyable experience.
Here are some pupil’s thoughts on the day:
On Wednesday 2 March 2011 a group of 30 of us went tree planting at Loch Katrine.
The teachers we went with were Miss Wood and Mr Clark. When we got there we were split into two groups. McLaren planted the trees first and our pupils alone planted more than a hundred trees! After that we had lunch and free hot
chocolates, tea and coffee. Then McLaren went to the tepee with a bonfire. After that we drew a picture of what we could see though a grid facing the Loch. Using the materials around us we coloured our pictures in. Then a lady told us to collect water. We went in and out of the trees and at the end we threw the water to rehydrate the soil, but some of us threw the water and soaked ourselves. Then we made objects out of bamboo.
By Elianna Pywell, Fiona Semple and Olivia Pearson, all S1.
FEL Support Survey Results - 'Good Effort, Must Continue'
A recent online FEL survey returned some useful information on how teachers and educators across Stirling would like to be a supported in their learning and teaching for Environmental Education and Outdoor Learning work.
Although there was not a high response rate, there was a clear indication that schools were striving to stimulate, and improve the experience of children through the creative development, improvement, and use of school grounds, and to help children connect with other areas of learning through using the outdoors.
In suggesting themes for CPD 'Twilight' sessions, there was most interest in topics that focused on the 'how-to' of school grounds development ie designing, planning and creating. Using the grounds for specific purposes such as learning about periods throughout history, food growing, or birds and minibeasts were also popular choices.
For those who had attended or were wanting to attend CPD sessions, respondents preferred support for both teachers and pupils to reinforce class studies, run workshops to develop the garden area, and evaluate the impact of the learning on the children and ensure that the teachers were taking forward their learning and understanding to best effect. Sharing learning was not considered to be a priority, due to timetabling constraints.
In terms of use of FEL's support services, most respondents were interested in using all of the services offered, with the extensive FEL library of resources, support visits, and input to staff development days (February and November), being of most interest.
Alerting teachers to the support and learning opportunities available was preferred by eBulletins and uploading CPD information via Stirling Council's CEBAS (Course, Event Booking & Administration System).
Forth Environment Link will work on these suggestions to improve the service offered to educators through the coming months. You can download the survey results here.
Anyone having any further suggestions, please contact Diane on 01786 449215 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Riverside Primary's Eco Extravaganza 2011
In March 2011, Riverside Primary school held a focus week which was all about being Eco! There were a range of activities taking place, with many visitors coming in and also classes going out on trips. Our aim of the week was to involve children, staff, parents, carers and people from our community to join in on an extravagant week in learning about all things green.
All classes had a fun packed week and were working hard towards the week finale. On the Friday afternoon we opened up our school to all members of the school community to join us in celebrating the week. There were a wide range of activities for all to get involved in. Each class displayed their learning from the week in a number of stalls throughout the school for everyone to visit. The Primary 6’s held a live auction in the learning area to recycle unwanted goods. There was also a Jumble sale as well which proved to be very popular with very little left to purchase at the end! The Primary 7’s also created an Eco documentary which was shown throughout the afternoon. Above all this excitement, there was more to come!
In between visits and going out to do litter picks around Riverside, children had to redesign an item of clothing. The children worked so hard in revamping their old clothing that we just couldn’t resist modelling some fabulous designs on the cat walk! On busy Friday afternoon two children from each class took to the runway in front of a packed out audience to model their new designs. A great time was had by all!
From litter picking to fashion designing, a great experience was had by everyone involved in Eco Extravaganza. We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who was involved to make the week such a success.
(Source: Article and photos courtsey of Sarah Ferguson, Riverside Primary School, 13 June '11)
Bannockburn Primary School Orchard Blossoms!
Bannockburn Primary School now has a new orchard, thanks to the enthusiasm and hard work of staff and Eco-Team pupils. Forth Environment Link and orchard enthusiast, Margaret Miller, were delighted to help the school when the call came from teacher, Sandra Morrison.
The school had collected Sainsbury's vouchers and had exchanged then for 15 plum, apple, cherry and pear trees. Help was given to prepare the site and plant the trees at the beginning of May, towards the end of the dry spell of weather. One week after the planting, Sandra said,"The orchard looks fab. Thankfully we've had plenty of rain. Thank you so much for all of your and Margaret's help".
The school was advised to take off all but one fruit from each tree (as an example for the children to study) in the first year, to enable all its energies to growing strong and supporting the fruit in future years, so that it can be productive and live longer.
We look forward to hearing of the orchard's progress in the coming months and years, and the enjoyment and learning that it brings to the children.
(Photographs courtesy of Sandra Morrison, Bannockburn Primary School)