Introducing Shiplake’s Eco-Committee

by Sam Edwards

Many of us heard the announcement of the reformation of Shiplake’s Eco-committee in assembly earlier this year. But do you know the exciting endeavours that Mr Cooper and Chairperson Martha Berry have planned?

I interviewed both Mr Cooper and Martha to find out about their initial motivation and to hear about the exciting short-term and long-term ideas for the Ecocommittee. We at the Viking Voice are very excited about the recent introduction of the Eco-committee and fully support all their actions.

Mr Cooper and Martha showed a huge amount of enthusiasm and desire to make a difference. Both of them had similar initial motivation to stop the reliance on plastic around the school and increase the amount of recycling that happens around the school. They want to bring the entire community into a joint effort to make the school greener.

During COVID, the eagerness of the school’s eco efforts fell into the shadows since the absence of the pupils made this a very difficult task. However, it is evident that the Ecocommittee more than ever feel energised to focus the schools efforts towards this target.

The long term initiatives seem compelling with the committee meeting every two weeks to discuss wider school issues. The Eco-committee feel they have the full support from Mr Howe, who is just as passionate about the work as the Eco-committee members themselves. It is very early days for the committee so currently they are in the middle of filling out surveys regarding our current eco measures, which will give the committee an idea of what to do next. Our own Eco-committee informants have given us a sneak peak into some of the ideas that are soon to be put in place…

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6 The Eco-committee intends on becoming involved in the new development of the Stableyard; They are keen to incorporate the concept of ‘a green roof’ in addition to solar panels for the roofs.

They wish to introduce a new tutor challenge, where each tutor group will receive seeds to plant in recycled plant pots. They will care for the plants across the rest of the academic year. At the end of the summer term, an auction hosted by the Ecocommittee will sell off the thriving flowers with all proceeds going towards either environmental charities or funding the school’s venture to become more environmentally friendly.

You may have noticed the newly installed recycling bins in all classrooms across the school campus. The Eco-committee is intent on encouraging all students and staff to recycle in an attempt to create a nicer environment for all.

The idea of an eco-classroom has recently been encouraged by all members of the committee, after seeing this idea executed by many other local schools. This would include wind powered elements in addition to solar panels, and potentially even elements of interactive learning for the Lower School

One of the committee’s key initiatives for the spring term is the introduction of Ecosia to all students. Ecosia is an eco-friendly browsing service used by many schools across the UK. By using Ecosia, we prevent pollution as the centre is powered completely by renewable energy sources.

Last but not least, we have seen much enthusiasm towards the idea of a forest school being introduced to the curriculum.

Martha and Mr Cooper both believe that their plans have the potential to make a considerable difference within the school. They both believe that the more that climate change is talked about and the more we discuss how we can become more eco-friendly, the more educated our community will become, furthering the effect beyond our community and into the wider world.

If you are interested in getting involved with the Ecocommittee, it is open to all years and they are eager for more volunteers. But anyone can contribute by finding a member of the Eco-committee, made distinct by their blue badges, and passing on your ideas to be discussed in future committee meetings.