ECO WRITING COMPETITION AND A VISIT TO KNEPP ESTATE
UPDATE ON CAMPUS INITIATIVES
SUSTAINABILITY EDUCATION ROUND-UP
MEET THE PREFECTS
SUSTAINABILITY STAR AWARDS
The holidays are nearly upon us and many of us will be travelling abroad to spend time with family or friends Find out about the impact of international travel and why plastic pollution is such a big issue. Meet your new sustainability prefects and hear about their plans for the next academic year!
Summer beckons with dreams of adventure, and international travel offers incredible learning, time with loved ones and memory-making opportunities. But as we plan our journeys, it’s also key to consider our impact on the planet
Air travel significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, fueling climate change Planes burn immense amounts of fuel, especially during take-off and landing, and highaltitude emissions have a greater warming effect While the aviation industry strives for efficiency and sustainable fuels, for now, increasing numbers of flights mean rising emissions.
This isn't about guilt-tripping (excuse the pun!); it's about empowering you with choices to make conscious travel decisions. Every small step makes a big difference.
The Impact: Why Flights Matter:
Flights release carbon dioxide (CO2) from fuel combustion.
Here’s how to make Smart Choices for Your Next Adventure to Reduce Your Footprint
1. Rethink Your Destination
Closer to Home: Can your adventure be found closer? The UK and Europe offer diverse landscapes and cultures, easily accessible without longhaul flights. Explore national parks, coastal towns, or European capitals by train
Embrace "Slow Travel":
Spend more time in one or two regions for deeper immersion and fewer internal flights.
2. Choose Greener Transport
Trains, Trains, Trains! For UK and European travel, trains are significantly more eco-friendly than flying, connecting city centres directly They can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 97% per person compared to flying the same distance
Coaches & Ferries: For shorter international trips, these are excellent, lowercarbon options, often more affordable too.
"Rail-Drive" Holidays: Combine a train journey to your destination with an electric car rental upon arrival for flexibility
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) contribute to heattrapping contrails, and Soot/particulates influence cloud formation.
3. If You Fly, Fly Smarter
When flying is essential, lessen the impact:
Fly Economy: Business/First Class seats use more space and fuel per passenger. Choose Non-Stop Flights: Take-off and landing are the most fuel-intensive. Direct flights reduce these Pack Light: Less weight means less fuel
Consider Newer Aircraft: Newer planes are generally more fuelefficient.
Carbon Offsetting (with caution): While offsetting schemes contribute to emission-reducing projects, they don't erase your flight's impact. Prioritise reducing your footprint directly first Choose reputable schemes.
YOUR ECO-ADVENTURE
Research "No-Fly" Options: Explore train, coach, and ferry holidays; amazing destinations await!
Engage Locally: Support local businesses, eat local food, and buy local crafts.
Minimise Waste: Use reusable water bottles, coffee cups, and shopping bags. Avoid single-use plastics
Conserve Resources: In accommodation, be mindful of energy and water use
Respect Nature: Stick to marked trails, avoid disturbing wildlife, and leave no trace
Educate & Involve: Discuss sustainable travel with your family; learn and act together
Respect local customs: These often have in-built sustainability features.
International travel is a gift! By making mindful, sustainable choices, we can continue exploring our amazing world while protecting it for future generations. Happy travels!
Plastic not so fantastic - how to ensure a plastic-free
As the days get longer and the thought of summer holidays starts to sparkle in our minds, it's easy to get excited about sun, fun, and maybe a bit of travel. But before we dive headfirst into our summer plans, let's take a moment to think about an unwelcome guest that often tags along: plastic.
You've probably heard it before, but it bears repeating –plastic, while incredibly versatile, is having a seriously not-sofantastic impact on our beautiful planet Think about it: a staggering amount of plastic is produced every year, and sadly, a huge chunk of it ends up polluting our environments. We see it everywhere, from overflowing bins to litter blowing down our streets.
But the real horror show happens out of sight, in our oceans Millions of tonnes of plastic waste enter our marine ecosystems every year, harming countless species of marine life Imagine a majestic sea turtle mistaking a plastic bag for a jellyfish, or a tiny fish getting tangled in discarded fishing nets. It's heartbreaking to think about, and the statistics are truly alarming. This plastic breaks down into microplastics, tiny particles that are then ingested by marine creatures, eventually making their way up the food chain – perhaps even onto our dinner plates! And it's not just the oceans; plastic pollution impacts our land, rivers, and even the air we breathe It's a global problem that needs our immediate attention.
So, with summer just around the corner, how can we make sure our holidays are truly fantastic, and plastic-free? It’s easier than you might think to make a big difference with small changes Over the page are some top tips to help you have a super sustainable, plastic-free summer:
Summer!
By Jonathan Slinger
Turtles often mistake plastic for jellyfish
Fisherman in Manila Bay, Philippines
PLASTIC-FREE SUMMER:
Be a Hydration Hero with a Reusable Water Bottle: This is probably the easiest win! Instead of grabbing a new plastic bottle every time you’re thirsty, invest in a snazzy reusable water bottle. They come in all sorts of colours and designs, and you can refill them virtually anywhere. Think of the money you'll save, too!
Snack Smart, Not Single-Use: Summer often means picnics and snacks on the go Ditch those individually wrapped biscuits and crisps. Instead, pack homemade sandwiches, fruit, and snacks in reusable containers. A reusable snack bag or a small lunchbox can be your best friend.
Shop Savvy with Reusable Bags: We all know this one, but it’s crucial. Keep a couple of sturdy reusable shopping bags folded up in your backpack or by the door. Even if you just pop into a shop for one or two items, you’ll avoid a plastic carrier bag
Say No to Plastic Straws and Cutlery: If you’re grabbing a drink or a takeaway, politely ask for no straw or plastic cutlery. Better yet, carry your own reusable straw (metal or bamboo are great options) and a spork. It’s surprisingly convenient!
Beach Bums, Leave No Trace: Heading to the beach? Fantastic! But make sure you leave it cleaner than you found it. Pack a bag for your rubbish and take everything home with you Consider doing a quick five-minute beach clean-up while you’re there –every little bit helps!
Sun Protection, Sustainable Style: Many sun cream bottles are plastic. Look for brands that offer refillable options or come in glass or metal containers It's a small change that can make a difference over time
Holiday Reads Without the Wrap: If you’re buying new books for your holiday, try to choose ones that aren’t shrink-wrapped in plastic. Or even better, borrow from the library or delve into an e-book – the ultimate plastic-free reading experience!
Get Creative with Souvenirs: Instead of buying mass-produced plastic souvenirs, look for locally made crafts, edible treats, or experiences that will create lasting memories without the plastic waste.
Remember, every small action adds up to a big impact. By making a conscious effort this summer to reduce your plastic consumption, you’ll not only be helping our planet but also setting a fantastic example for those around you. Let’s make this summer truly fantastic – for us, and for the environment! Have a brilliant, plastic-free holiday!
By Miriam McDonnell
Eco Week
What a fantastic term it's been for environmental achievements at the Prep School! Eco Week was an absolute triumph, bursting with opportunities for everyone. The creativity on display for our recycled model competition was fantastic – everything from ingenious robots to the cutest family of recycled mice! Well done to all who took part
Eco writing Competition
The winners of our annual Eco writing competition were treated to an unforgettable visit to the inspiring Knepp Rewilding project. Imagine their delight at not only spotting nesting storks but also being serenaded by the beautiful song of a nightingale! A truly special reward for their thoughtful writing
Note - there is a fuller report on this Eco writing competition on page
Year 3 and 4 visit to Lewes Wildlife Reserve
Our Year 3 and 4 adventurers had a glorious day connecting with nature during their visit to Lewes Wildlife Reserve. The sun shone as they enthusiastically took part in pond dipping, discovering a fascinating array of wildlife, including newts, fish, and all sorts of incredible pond creatures. What a memorable experience! They also tried some plant identification challenges and learnt more about the sustainability of early man’s hunter gatherer lifestyle
Eco Week included some new initiatives
This year's Eco Week also saw the introduction of some exciting new activities, including the nail-biting Whole School Eco Quiz, which had everyone on the edge of their seats! Bravo to Raven! Of course, we also enjoyed some much-loved traditions, like the ever-popular BLACKOUT! It was wonderful to see so many classes embracing outdoor learning, taking their lessons outside (fortunately, the weather was nice and sunny) Our Pre-Prep pupils had a special treat with environmental-themed story time in the Library, thanks to our wonderful school librarian And to top off the week, our bring and buy second-hand book sale was a resounding success, promoting sustainability and raising a fantastic £43 for the vital work of the Marine Conservation Society!
Gardening Club
Our green-fingered Gardening Club is also thriving this summer term! Our eager young gardeners have been busy planting a wonderful selection of wildlifefriendly plants, including winter jasmine, lavender, a holly tree, and buddleia, all carefully chosen to encourage even more beautiful creatures to our school environment. Just some rather impenetrable chalky ground between us and our plans for a little wildlife oasis
Looking ahead....
Looking ahead, we're taking some significant steps to reduce our environmental impact We're currently installing timer switches on some of our charging points, which will make a real difference to our energy consumption Plus, we have roll-out of our brand new recycling system this term – making it even easier for us all to contribute to a greener future!
A huge well done to everyone for their enthusiasm and commitment to our eco initiatives this term. Let's keep this positive momentum going!
WINNERS DRAW INSPIRATION FROM WEST
FAMOUS KNEPP RE-WILDING PROJECT.
By Matt Oliver, Head of English
Following the prize-announcements for the English Department’s fourth annual eco-writing competition, inviting both senior and prep school students to write on any aspect of the environment, our shortlisted writers (see the end for names!) took an inspiring day of writing exercises and inspiration with a ‘wild walk’ in the internationally-reknowned Knepp Estate in West Sussex
For anyone unfamiliar with this award-winning project, a visit on a spring day of breeze and sunshine is the perfect introduction. Having previously existed as a diary farm, the estate is now dramatically transformed through twenty years of ‘rewilding’ and habitat recovery into a haven for a host of nationally and internationally-threatened insect, bird and butterfly species, such as Turtle Doves and Purple Emperor butterflies As the dual focus of the day was an education in both writing and biodiversity, one of the key objectives was something vital for both great prose and worthwhile scientific endeavour: taking a good look
Inspired by an excerpt from Isabella Tree’s book on Knepp, Wilding, students began a first writing exercise by trying to persuade their readers to favour the ‘messiness’ of a re-wilded landscape to something more conventionally managed and manicured Pupils took great delight in peering into the cratered rootling grounds of Knepp’s wild pigs, and navigating the thorny scrubland that makes the estate appear more like an African savannah than a former Sussex farm On this first look, teachers were impressed by the close observational skill and curiosity of students In our ‘foraging challenge’, lots of students were able to correctly identify plants they thought were edible, though concerned readers need not worry: we didn’t actually resort to eating celandines, nettles, wild garlic or wood sorrel on the day! (Continued on the next page)
Our second session, exploring the appeal of wild nature to painters and poets of the Romantic era, fittingly took place in an unmanaged woodland at the far reaches of the estate After a reading of Wordsworth’s ‘Daffodils’ ( a flower just about still visible on a hot April day), our Bede’s Prep students were brilliantly articulate in connecting the idea of “wandering” in wild nature with the radical call for social and political liberties in the context of the 1790s - a period some of these students might not otherwise study until ALevels!
As part of our study, pupils considered the role of nature as a ‘wellbeing tool’, and maturely reflected on the thriving landscape around them as not only good for nature, but vital to our physical and mental health too In order to see nature in new ways, teachers and students then took turns in a collaborative reading of contemporary poet Fiona Benson before more observational writing It such a setting, it seemed apt to test students to ‘re-wild’ their own writing and try to find a fresh new voice for the world around them, especially by playing with the constraints of grammar and language to effect We greatly enjoyed our students’ poems on mayflies, seed pods, thorn bushes, migratory storks, gulls, oak galls, even a single grain of pollen.
Our day was both enjoyable and purposeful; as well as introducing students to a new landscape, we also shared books and extracts modelling close observational writing, and made students aware of other writing opportunities Along with the brilliant eco-committees at both the Prep and Senior Schools, pupils were excited to consider what principles from the Knepp Estate would thrive at Bede’s I won’t spoil the surprise here, but our activists are already at work on a project for the Autumn
Once again, a huge thank you to Dr Savage and Mrs Wilson for taking the trip with Mr Oliver. Well done to our prize-winning writers too: Immy, Missy, Liam, Issy, Jeannie, Sadie, Vigo and Elizabeth (from the Senior School) and George, Charlie, Pierce, Monty, Sami, Irina and Amelia from the Prep School.
SUSTAINABLE CAMPUS UPDATE
In each edition we shine the spotlight on a few of the many initiatives the school is taking to make the campus more sustainable. In this edition.....
Helping Wildlife
To coincide with the start of bird nesting season on March 1st, 29 bird boxes were put up around the senior school by Jason and Adam from our Grounds team These bird boxes were built by our current year 10 over the course of 2 days during their First Year curriculum days in June 2024 These were painted with a non-toxic eco -friendly paint by the wildlife gardening group prior to being erected
Our grounds team have also been hard at work making space for wildlife, by growing and planting pollinator friendly plants for the memorial garden and pots and planters around the school In addition to this they have been carefully managing the woodland and have been sympathetic in their mowing of some areas of the grounds to ensure patches of clover have been left as a food source for bees
We have been excited to see and hear a very rare migrant visitor in our grounds this year - the elusive Turtle Dove Once common in the UK, it is now on the IUCN red list of threatened species due to habitat loss and hunting practices However, it is making a come back due to concerted efforts to change land management practices and a ban on hunting in European countries on their migration routes from Africa
Plans are also in place to provide our regular House Martin visitors with nest cups once the external renovation of Old Dorms is complete
Food Waste Reduction
Working with our Caterer, Holroyd Howe, we are continuing to monitor both food and non-food waste from the catering operations at both the Senior and Prep school and to refine our systems further The Chef’s Eye system (where we weigh and photograph food waste after each service) has now been up and running for 5 months and we have a much more detailed picture of where/when food is being overproduced and/or where there is more waste generated. This informs specific corrective steps being taken. We have also been trialling a system where a sample of pupils are being offered the choice of a small or large serving. This is an attempt to generate less waste rather than offer less food. Melamine plates have been purchased for use in catering outside the confines of the dining hall This is an effort to use fewer paper plates and to favour reuse rather than recycling Each small step further reduces the carbon footprint of our school
New Outdoor Recycling Bins
The school has invested in new outdoor recycling bins to ensure that waste disposed of outside is also effectively separated into recyclable and non-recyclable waste streams. This complements the effective indoor recycling system that has been in place since September.
This months edition is a round-up showcasing some of the fantastic work being done to embed sustainability in every department and house across the Senior School!
SHAPE FACULTY: First Years learnt about Extinction Rebellion's non-violent tactics to demonstrate the impact of civil disobedience on policy change and climate awareness.
DRAMA: Dawn King's "The Trials", due to be performed at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe Festival explores environmental collapse and humanity’s relationship with nature. The play uses minimalist set design, upcycled costumes, and energyefficient technology to promote sustainability It serves as both entertainment and a catalyst for societal change, encouraging reflection and action on ecological issues
CHEMISTRY:U5th students explored how their daily activities contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Using the WWF carbon footprint calculator, they assessed their environmental impact, reflected on personal contributions, and pledged to adopt changes like reducing energy use, minimising waste, and choosing sustainable transport. This exercise enhanced their climate change awareness and responsibility.
GEOGRAPHY: The concept of sustainability remains a key theme across the GCSE and A level specifications and is now embedded as a FY stand alone unit of study. In this unit, FYs have learnt, amongst other things, about the future of the food and energy industries. In the Spring term, Mr Slinger offered a master class on Globalisation, and more specifically asked the question: ‘How sustainable is a globalised world’? This was well attended and there followed an online quiz competition to see who had engaged the most with this very important topic.
STUD HOUSE: Have started a ‘No Mow’ initiative to help pollinators and educate students about how a small change in the way we manage our gardens can have a big impact on plant and insect diversity biodiversity in the school An area of lawn outside Stud house is being allowed to grow each year during May and June for the benefit of plant and pollinator diversity New signs have been produced to ensure that members of the Bede’s community and visitors understand why this area might look a bit more untidy than normal
DORTER HOUSE: have collected unwanted clothing to be donated to charity shops and created their own 2nd Hand Bede’s Uniform shop which will be out on display at the New Parents Day - money raised will be donated to their house charity They have also been instrumental in trialling the new recycling system in the boarding houses and promoting the recycling of cardboard packaging with a dedicated bin for this near the Matrons' Office
DORMS HOUSE: Have started cooking sessions using waste food from in-house lunches to make pasta sauces They have also implemented a clothing recycling drive at the end of terms Passing on of uniform is actively encouraged and is a culture for boys and families This is publicised by matrons in conversations with parents They are researching a green roof for above the main doorway and have implemented a ‘no plastic policy’ for events such as formal dinner and Christmas They are also discouraging the purchase of single use plastic in house
To gain their Bede’s Environmental Leaders’ Award, pupils are required to plan and execute a significant project that has positive impacts on the environment Matilda, Ella and Grace decided on a project to collect unused and second-hand sports kit, shoes and clothing from the Bede’s community. They focused on four main sports; hockey, rugby, football and cricket
Skills learnt have included those of team working, conceiving and planning a campaign, how to educate about the issue, marketing, motivating others to act, practising a wide range of communication skills including email contact with outside organisations and public speaking. Further skills have included planning and logistics and practising resilience and adaptability, amongst others.
An estimate puts the cost (new) of the kit donated to be well in excess of £12 000. The pupils have worked with a range of charities to help in getting the kit to those who need it most in countries across three global regions, Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. The charities involved are Kit Aid, SOS Kit Aid and Project Reuse.
To someone in need, the gift of a pair of rugby boots, a hockey stick or a football shirt can enrich their life and lead to other positive changes. Encouraging reuse of equipment saves thousands of tonnes of carbon from being emitted and ensures that resources are not wasted. Congratulations to Grace, Ella and Matilda for their wonderful efforts and in the achievement of their Bede’s Environmental Leaders’ Award!
This year we have:
Planted wildflower seeds
Grown cottage garden plants from seed to add to our beds
Weeded and tended the teasel we started growing last year These will flower this summer
Planted peas
Built a dead hedge for hibernating animals and insects
Made a large insect hotel
Made solitary bee hotels
Erected signs made from recycled scaffold boards (Thank you Mr McDonnell and Mr Slinger!)
Cooked a ‘Garden risotto’ using the peas, herbs and onion grown in the garden this year.
Repaired the roof and windows of the shed using reclaimed materials; and painted the shed
We hope you enjoy this photo board of some of the things we have been doing this year!
What do the students say?
Leon: I have enjoyed getting closer to nature
Evie: I felt a great sense of fulfilment from growing something and then being able to eat it whilst providing habitat and food for wildlife. I found some of the tasks very meditative and enjoyed being outdoors It makes you want to eat it more if you have grown it and looked after it
Hiro: I enjoyed growing food I could eat, as well as tidying, fixing and maintaining the shed
COME AND JOIN US NEXT TERM IN THE WILDLIFE GARDENING ACTIVITY!
MEET THE SUSTAINABILITY PREFECTS
The two prefects who run the Senior School Sustainability Committee are key to driving sustainability forward at the school The Hummingbird caught up with Grace Hoeltschi and Alfie Johnson, newly appointed to their roles, to find out a little more about themselves and to hear what their plans are for the year ahead
HB: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and why you were interested in taking on the prefect sustainability portfolio?
Alfie - Hi, I'm Alfie. I've been at Bede's since year nine. I'm very big on my swimming which takes up the majority of my life and in general I am a big fan of sports I have always had an interest in geography all the way since year 9 and so when I got to year 10 for my GCSE's I moved on to do geography and built up a love for the subject and a good understanding of what the world needs to be sustainable As I have learnt more about sustainability I have realised the importance of sharing this knowledge with others and working together towards common goals
Grace – Hi, I’m Grace and I’ve been at Bede’s since Year 9. I enjoy a wide range of activities, including reading and playing hockey, but most of my time is spent designing and making clothes. I’ve had a strong interest in sustainability ever since I learned about environmental activists like Greta Thunberg and David Attenborough, and became more aware of the growing challenges of climate change Like Alfie, I also love Geography and have studied it at Bedes since Year 9 and currently taking it at A-Level, with plans to continue it in the future I’m passionate about how sustainability can make a big, positive difference to our planet
HB: What plans, campaigns and issues would you like to focus on for the pupil’s sustainability committee?
Grace - My main aim is to make everyone aware of the rising negative changes happening to our planet and to create an easy guide that students can follow to make their life a little more sustainable as I believe it all adds up and little differences can make big ones
Alfie - my main aim is to really push to make the school as sustainable as possible and embed our legacy by creating a great school which operates in the most efficient way. One plan that I have, which might be a bit of a push, is to implement the use of solar panels across the school and try to make the use of electricity in the school more sustainable
MEET THE SUSTAINABILITY PREFECTS
HB: Why should pupils care about sustainability issues?
Alfie - being sustainable in your day-to-day life is so important for the present and future of our planet. I believe that everyone should aim to have an impact to try and help keep our planet safe, clean and working and to keep a sustainable lifestyle
Grace - Young people can become and be a part of a solution to directly shape the world we will live in into the future. Pupils should care about sustainability as inevitably they will be the ones that have to deal with the consequences of not being sustainable in the future.
HB: What advice would you give to a younger pupil who is interested in tackling sustainability issues in society or at the school?
Grace - Share your ideas with your family, friends and school. Think about what in your life you can make more sustainable; little steps can lead to big change!
Alfie - speak your mind - if something is on your mind or if you have an idea for a campaign to try and improve the sustainability of the school, come and find either myself or Grace, and let us know what you want to see and we can try to make it happen. Or come along to our sustainability committee meeting and let us know what your ideas are.
Quick Fact Question Grace’s answer Alfie’s answer
Favourite animal? Elephant Bottlenose dolphin
Favourite place? Amsterdam French Alps
Inspiring role model? David Attenborough Caleb Dressel
What annoys you the most?
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
Career/further study interest?
Complaining about something but then not doing anything to help yourself Anything badly organised
My friends My friends
Geography at uni Urban planner
STAFF AWARDS
ROBYN FERREIRA
For sourcing refillable board pens in science
ANDREW WATERHOUSE
For driving the charity collection of sports kit in Knights House
NICK HICKS
For his initiative and dedication to recycling over 1000 batteries every year from the Salto door locks.
THE HOLROYD HOWE TEAM
For their commitment to reducing food waste and recycling
COMPETITION CORNER
SUSTAINABLE SUMMER COMPETITION
This month’s competition corner invites you to:
“Submit a photo to evidence one way in which you have made your summer more sustainable”
This could be a picture of you on a train, picking up plastic litter, eating locally sourced food, having a holiday closer to home, etc. Look at the articles at the start of this newsletter for inspiration
Email your entry to fiona.mansfield@bedes.org with ‘Competition Corner’ in the email subject header
Winners will have their photo published in our next issue and receive a small sustainbility themed prize!
Closing date for entries: Monday 6th September
We’d love
to
hear
your views: give us feedback on this newsletter tell us about a sustainability idea you have or would like to see introduced at Bede’s ask us a question about sustainability at Bede’s tell us about something you would like to see in future editions of “the Humming Bird”
