Third Annual E.Y.E Project Eco-Summit

On Monday 7 th June 2010 the third annual E.Y.E. Project Eco-Summit took place at Thomas A Becket Middle School in Worthing.

Around 100 pupils and staff from 9 schools within the East Worthing and Adur district joined together for a day of workshops and fun. The schools that attended were; Davisons High School for Girls, Downsbrook Middle School, Eastbrook Primary, The Globe, Shoreham College, St Andrew’s High School for Boys, St Mary’s Roman Catholic School, St Nicholas and St Mary’s, Thomas A Becket Middle. Members of the West Sussex Youth Cabinet also attended and worked hard filming and reporting throughout the day.

In the absence of Tim Loughton, Peter Bottomley officially opened the day. Mr Loughton was making his debut speech in parliament on the same day so unfortunately was not able to be with us. He did however send along a podcast message in which he thanked all the schools for their hard work and commitment so far and hoped that we all had a fantastic day together.

The Mayor of Worthing Councillor Ann Sayers, along with the town’s Youth Mayor - Matthew Badcock also attended the opening assembly. The leader of Adur District Council Debbie Kennard and the Local Councillor Emma Evans joined in with activities later in the day.

Throughout the day pupils took part in a wide variety of workshops based around: eco-art, recycling, pond dipping and hedge sweeping, electricity monitoring using a real-time electricity monitoring device, community trade, using wind as a source of energy, healthy lunch box ideas, science in the plastic bottle greenhouse and eco websites.

Our guest speaker, Lewis Crathern - a local kite surfing champion, thrilled pupils and staff with his kite flying skills and knowledge based around using wind as a renewable source of energy.

The workshops were lead by experts from organisations and businesses that very kindly gave their time to be with us. Thank you to The Body Shop, Sussex Wildlife Trust, Adur and Worthing District Council, Moving Stitches, Modern Mouldings- Eco-Eye, Lewis Crathern, Sue Lyndon and David McKeown –Webster. Other organisations supported the event in a variety of ways; either by providing resources for workshops, running stands for the pupils to learn from or prizes and refreshments. Thank you to the Alchemist Store, Tescos, Marks and Spencer, Southern Water, C.A.R.E. and the Environment Agency.

 

The Pod, the website linked to Eco-Schools, sent along a reporter so we very much hope that our Eco-Summit may feature as one of the Greening Campaign Events in the coming weeks.

The day ended with a closing assembly around the tipi, which was created by the pupils that took part in the Eco-Art workshops. This beautiful tent is now being enjoyed by the children of Thomas A Becket Middle School, for reading group activities and as a cool shady place to sit during break times.

Thank you to everyone that attended and supported this day, it could not have happened with out you all.

Best wishes from

The E.Y.E. Project Steering Group.