The Three R’s help win environmental award

Temple Primary School in Cheetham Hill believes in the three R’s: Reduce, Re-use, Recycle.

That's now the school motto and putting the three R's into practice helped win the school an Eco Flag Award from Encams, which runs the Keep Britain Tidy campaign.

It will be formally presented to the school at a special ceremony at Manchester Town Hall on November 1.

Temple Primary is only the second school in the city to gain the award, the other being Grange special school Rusholme in May, 2005.

Temple Primary first gained bronze and silver awards in the scheme over two years, finally gaining the green flag award after going through a rigorous assessment demonstrating robust and sustainable environmental changes.

School assemblies were held focusing on energy use, an eco committee made signs to be placed around the building asking staff and pupils to save energy by switching off computers, other devices and lights, and weekly energy readings were taken.

Improvement work was carried out in the school grounds and bird boxes, bird feeders and other environmentally-friendly features introduced.

A walking bus was also started - winning its own environmental award - along with cycling proficiency and road safety quizzes.

The school also wrote its own eco song as well as introducing it's three R's motto.

The local community also benefited, with pupils involved in the Cheetham in Bloom effort, litter picking, working on Cheetham allotments, bulb planting on Smedley fields and making bird boxes with the Irk Valley project.

Head teacher Vicky Morton said: "I am very proud of our school for gaining this award as it goes beyond the work of the school and into the community. We are determined to continue our eco-warrior status!"

The Executive Member for Children's Services, Councillor Sheila Newman, said: "Congratulations to Temple Primary for their green flag award. The work they are doing at the school is valuable in so many ways - from the actual reduction in energy use and greater efficiency to instilling in young minds the virtues of sustainable living. It is a message they can carry with them through their lives in a world where environmental improvement and protection is absolutely vital to us all."

Five pupils and two staff will attend the Town Hall presentation.

In 2005, the school was also among the winners of the council's first 'green miles' award which involved persuading parents to leave the car behind and travel to and from school by walking, cycling or by public transport.

The Eco Flag Award is supported by the council's environmental campaigns team, with officers providing advice, information and support.

Schools interested in entering the award scheme can contact Gemma Lee on (0161) 953 2760.

Media contact:

Jane Lemon, tel: 0161 234 3179