Tongue pupils win environmental challenge
A north Sutherland school has won a challenge set by the environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful to celebrate 30 years of Eco-Schools in Scotland.
Tongue Primary School has won the bingo challenge, one of three challenges that schools could take part in to mark the anniversary.
The winners of all three challenges were announced online during the Eco-Schools Celebration Week, which ran from June 9-13.
Eco-Schools is a global environmental education programme developed by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) in 1994 and run in Scotland by Keep Scotland Beautiful.
It empowers young people to make positive changes in their schools and communities by providing a framework through which schools can improve their environmental practices, reduce their ecological footprint, and foster a sustainable mindset.
The programme is structured around a seven-step framework that guides schools through various environmental topics, such as energy, waste, and biodiversity.
Schools can also earn awards for their efforts, including the prestigious Green Flag.
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To mark the 30th anniversary, schools could take part in three challenges: a collage challenge, a bingo challenge, and a tartan challenge. There were prizes for the winners of each challenge, ranging from gift cards to litter-picking equipment.
For the bingo challenge, schools had to complete as many bingo activities as they could - they had to finish at least four challenges to enter the competition.
Three winning entries were randomly selected, and the winners received a Handicart Pro and a box of five litter pickers.
Pupils from Tongue completed six challenges, including learning the Gaelic names of 30 plants and animals, adopting part of Tongue House gardens to support wildlife and grow plants, and writing to their local MP, MSP, Highland Council, and even the King to requestsoft plastic recycling facilities in their village.
Andrea Gabriel, Education and Learning Manager at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “Throughout the last few months we’ve had so much fun celebrating 30 years of Eco-Schools, with visits to some of our amazing schools and now this set of challenges.
“It’s been so inspiring to see their creativity and love for Eco-Schools!
“I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part and congratulations to our winners. We’re so passionate about environmental education, and it is so inspiring to see that passion is shared by young people and educators across Scotland.”
