Harrysmuir Primary School in West Lothian has just scored a big win by being named Eco-Committee of the Year at the Eco-Schools Scotland awards. This event is organized by Keep Scotland Beautiful, a charity focused on environmental improvement.
The school stood out with impressive projects. Students planted 200 trees in partnership with the Woodland Trust and regularly clean up litter in their school and nearby parks. They also host fun environmental events like the Big Bird Watch and Fairtrade Fortnight. Their gardening efforts in polytunnels and planters allow them to grow a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Students share their journey and goals in assemblies, motivating their classmates to take action.
Andrea Gabriel, Education Manager at Keep Scotland Beautiful, praised the school’s efforts. She highlighted how Harrysmuir embodies the values of curiosity, initiative, and teamwork, which are at the heart of the awards.
Erin Pringle, the school’s Eco-Coordinator, expressed immense pride in her team. She noted that the dedication and compassion of all 18 student members inspire those around them to care more about the planet.
This year’s awards included other winners as well. West Coats Primary in South Lanarkshire earned the Climate Action Project of the Year, and Jo Wright from Hardgate Primary School in Dumfries and Galloway was named Eco-Coordinator of the Year.
Eco-Schools is a global program aimed at promoting sustainability in education. About 20 million students across 73 countries participate, highlighting the program’s reach. In Scotland, nearly 900 schools currently hold the Eco-Schools Green Flag, a mark of their commitment to environmental education.
These schools are part of a larger movement, funded by the Scottish Government, aimed at helping communities engage with climate action and sustainability. It’s encouraging to see young people take the lead in caring for their environment. Their efforts today shape the planet they will inherit tomorrow.
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Dumfries, Environment, Education, Global warming, Schools, West Lothian, Galloway, West Lothian News
