Ashington CE Primary School

This was our Eco Aware Day run by our Eco Warriors. "More Ocean, less plastic".

The Queens Canopy Project

Ashington Parish Council were pleased to welcome pupils from Ashington Church of England School to a tree planting ceremony, for the Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) project. Headteacher Pip Fairweather and children from the Church Council and School Councils were joined at the ceremony by Parish Councillors.

A nationwide project initially created in 2022 to mark the Platinum Jubilee for the late Queen Elizabeth, His Majesty The King requested that the project continued into 2023 to give people the opportunity to plant trees in memory of Her Majesty. In support of the project, Horsham District Council kindly donated an Oak tree to the Parish Council to enable the village of Ashington to be part of this lasting tribute to Her Majesty’s extraordinary service to her country and her people. Over a million trees have already been planted in Her Majesty’s name across the nation.

Planted by the wildlife pond near the school and Willard Way, Head Prefects Marci Donno and Sebastian Smart were on hand to finish the planting of the tree and unveil a plaque to celebrate the occasion.

Parish Council Chairman Nigel Spiers spoke to the children about how they would be able to watch the tree grow through their lifetime. With an estimated 2,300 species supported by British Oak trees and a mature tree absorbing up to 150kg of CO2 a year, the children were pleased to be part of the positive environmental impact of planting this oak tree.

The children at Ashington CE Primary School enjoyed a Green Day on Thursday 7^th April 2022. The day was organised by Sienna, Magenta, Sophie and Jasmine, four passionate Eco Warriors in Year 5 supported by the school’s Outdoor Learning Lead, Miss Martlew.

The four girls had their eco passion ignited by a Rainforest topic in Year Four and ever since have eagerly encouraged others, staff included, to join them in driving for a more eco aware school, community and planet. Consequently, there was no need for the school staff to set up an eco-group; the girls would never have not let it happen; creating their own group with many other children eager to join.

The Green Day started with a whole school Eco Easter bonnet parade with winners from each class receiving an eco-notebook and pen and an Easter Egg. All hats were adorned with recycled decorations and had an Easter theme. The children clung to their hats in the wind but were full of smiles of pride in the beautiful spring sunshine as they paraded, each class in turn, in front of the whole school to cheerful applause.

The girls also set up a sponsored obstacle course and race, and an Easter Eco fact egg hunt for every class to take part in. Parents were asked to sponsor their children to take part in the race and the girls decided that under the current circumstances the money raised should go to support families in the Ukraine.

The whole school wore green clothes for the day as well as their eco bonnets. Younger children paired up with children from another class to find, read and answer all the eco related questions during the egg hunt. This was a very popular activity with children having fun and supporting each other whilst also learning lots of eco facts.

Year One children enjoyed the obstacle race so much many didn’t want to stop running when their turn came to an end!

The four girls have also led whole school assemblies and organised a book swap as part of their campaign to raise awareness and have many more ideas up their sleeves. The staff wait to see what’s suggested next!

Pip Fairweather

Headteacher                                                  The Winners