THE CONFERENCE SEASON

The summer term saw the ESDGC Schools Network Local Authority SWAMWAC region, hold a conference in Swansea specifically for comprehensive headteachers.  There was a very good attendance and an equally good schedule for the day with the keynote speaker Peter Davies, the Sustainable Development Commissioner for Wales.  There were a number of workshops one of which was run by Swansea teachers Angela Mayne from Bishop Vaughan Catholic Comprehensive, Sheelagh O’Malley from Morriston Comprehensive and Deb Davies from Bishopston Comprehensive School.  Their workshop was about ESDGC and Professional Learning Communities, a hot topic at the moment.  Another interesting talk was from NPT.   Pupils who were eco-champions were trained in peer mentoring so that they could spread the message and promote the environment in their school.  It is important for teachers to hear of good practice in other areas and one way of doing this is to bring people together at a conference!

A first for ESDGC in Wales was the National Network Conference in Cardiff on 12th July.  This was also organised by the ESDGC Schools Network and saw a coming together of teachers, headteachers, Local Authority staff, and those supporting ESDGC in schools from WAG, the voluntary and ITE sectors in Cardiff from all over Wales.  The conference brought together a number of people that shared their expertise.  Professor Scott from Bath University looked at young peoples motivations, interests and knowledge.  We also heard about P4C i.e. philosophy for children as well as finding out that Wales is a UNESCO Regional Centre of Excellence and what it entails.  There were exemplar projects and exemplar schools show cased as well as a talk by Alun Morgan of Estyn summing up progress so far.  It was very interesting to see how other areas of Wales are progressing in ESDGC.  In fact the schools sector is doing particularly well in terms of moving forward.

SWANSEA FOREST EDUCATION INITIATIVE

Forest Education Initiative (FEI) aims to increase the understanding and appreciation, particularly among young people of the environmental, social, and economic potential of trees, woodlands and forests and of the link between the tree and everyday wood products.  Forest Education Initiative aims to help young people make the vital link between the tree and wood products enjoy and appreciate trees and the forest environment and understand the sustainable role that trees and timber play in our lives.  The practical work of FEI is achieved through local groups who initiate and deliver various local projects such as teaching packs about local trees, woods, forestry and forest industries, a directory of local sites and their facilities, developing woodland settings in school grounds, hosting INSET events for teachers, theatre productions, Forest School and Wood Tour visits to schools.  The Forest Education Initiative are looking for groups interested in establishing a group in Swansea and are looking for interested organisations and individuals.  For the first year the group would meet once a term 4pm to 5pm as a networking group.  If this is successful we would then start to look for project ideas and funding.  The initial meeting is to held in September 2010 anyone interested please contact Amy Phillips, Forestry Commission Education Officer on 0300 068 0300 or EMail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

FAIRTRADE SCHOOLS

The Fairtrade Foundation's website gives you all the information you need to become a Fairtrade School.  To become a Fairtrade School you need to meet 5 goals including, seting up a Fairtrade School Steering Group with at least half pupils and which meets at least once a term, write and adopt a Fairtrade Policy which has the support of the board of Governors and is signed by the Head teacher, use and sell Fairtrade products as much as possible, learn about Fairtrade in at least three subjects in two year groups, take action for Fairtrade at least once a term in the school and once a year in the community.  Visit www.fairtrade.org.uk/schools

ACTION AID - FREE 10:10 Climate Change Workshops!

Action Aid is a charity that works with third world countries in order help alleviate poverty by getting people to help themselves.  Has your school signed up to Action Aid 10:10 campaign to cut carbon emissions in 2010?  If not don't worry there's still time!  And to help you, Action Aid is offering 100 climate change workshops to schools that have signed up.  These workshops are tailored to your needs and offered on a first come first served basis so sign up and book yours now.  Book your workshop call 01460 238000 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

BIODIVERSITY TEACHERS' EVENING - SWANSEA COMMUNITY FARM THURSDAY 10th JUNE 2010

Swansea teachers were invited to Swansea Community Farm on 10th June to an ADDS session to discover what biodiversity is, how it relates to schools and  how it can help deliver the new skills curriculum.  This was a taster session for schools to find out more about biodiversity and how to encourage greater biodiversity in thier grounds no matter how small or large.  All the schools that attended have booked Jo Mullett the City and County of Swansea Biodiversity Education Officer to go to their schools for an audit and revue.  Pictured are teachers in the grounds of Swansea Community Farm.  During the session teachers were taken to Cadle Heath which borders Community Farm and had a look at the opportunities available for working with pupils.  2010 is the Year of Biodiversity and there are many events taking place all over the City and County.

GREEN TREASURE BOXES - now available!

SEEF has produced NEW Green Treasure boxes available from the ELRC in Port Talbot!  These resources are invaluable to help plan and teach Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship (ESDGC).  They are FREE to Swansea schools and contain high quality information, reference and reading books as well as CD/DVD ROMS nd artefacts.  The Climate Change Box has weather monitoring equipment.  Boxes can be borrowed on a half termly basis.

Boxes include:

Primary -

Foundation Phase, (KS2) Energy and Water, Waste and Recycling, Food and Farming, Global Citizenship, Climate Change and Biodiversity.

Secondary ESDGC Box

Reserve your Green Treasure Box now by contacting the ELRC Port Talbot on 01639 889900 - your school does not have to be a member to borrow the Green Treasure Boxes (ask for Clive if there's a problem!)