Flags keep on coming for Newton Mearns school

Mearns Primary School is to get the accolade for its commeitment and excellence in all things environmental.

Green Flags are awarded for after assessment by Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Eco-Schools team.

It’s a real achievement to win Green Flag status as it involves a great deal of work by pupils and staff.

They have to demonstrate their efforts in a host of areas including litter, sustainability, transport and health.

Schools must have an eco committee, an action plan and an eco code.

The pupil eco committee has to continually monitor what’s being done in school, and also involve the wider community and parents.

Projects Mearns have been involved in include creating an eco garden where vegetables are grown and used in the school soup – and getting their grandparents to dig in and help!

They have also set up ‘walking bus’ weeks to encourage pupils to walk to school, work on a bin rota, encourage people to stop dropping litter and promoting recycling.

It’s encouraged interest in science and engineering and there is a school science club and science champions.

Head teacher Catherine Dillon-Ruddy said: “The benefits to the children from this have been phenomenal.

“The work they’ve been doing is now embedded in their learning and will continue.”