Five Schools Receive Green Flag Eco Award

Five schools have received the internationally recognized Green Flag award, which is the highest level of achievement in the Eco-Schools program.

A spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute [BUEI] is excited to celebrate the achievements of twenty-one Bermuda schools for their outstanding work as part of Eco- Schools Bermuda this year, of which five schools have received internationally recognized Green Flag award – the highest level of achievement through the Eco-Schools programme. This recognition showcases their unwavering commitment to greening education and highlights the positive actions and impact of student-led initiatives.

“Eco-Schools Bermuda, facilitated by the Foundation for Environmental Education [FEE], is a leading environmental education programme that collaborates with local schools to establish student-led eco-clubs dedicated to driving sustainable change. Notably, Bermuda is one of seventy-three countries actively promoting this action-based sustainable school initiative. On the island, this programme spans all levels, from pre-schools and primary schools to Bermuda College, with public schools alone contributing to over sixty percent of its engagement.

“The five schools who proudly raised their Eco-School Green Flags at the end of the 2023/24 school year were: Bermuda High School, Harrington Sound Primary, Warwick Academy, West Pembroke Primary, and Eco-Campus Bermuda College.

“Sustainability projects within the awarded schools encompassed a wide range of initiatives, such as improving school grounds, creating edible and pollinator gardens, reducing energy consumption, and waste and litter minimization. As part of the the Biodiversity Pathway, Warwick Academy initiated a project to ‘Rewild the School’ by building bug hotels and creating a wildflower meadow, while keeping students involved in sustainable practices that were already integrated with their curriculum and activities.

“West Pembroke Primary worked with community partners to undergo a School Grounds project and participated in Earth Hour with a focus on the Health and Wellbeing Pathway, Pathway projects not only built leadership among the students, actions also connect to the curriculum objectives, particularly in Science and Social Studies

“The Bermuda High School initiated a new Green Cup Challenge to all schools as part of the Energy Pathway and also launched an Eco-Club for the primary school students to take part in Energy, School Grounds and Waste and Litter Minimization pathways.

“Maintaining the course of previous years, Harrington Sound continued with Waste and Litter Minimization, Sustainable Food and Health and Wellbeing pathways. Harrington Sound also received a prize for the first Green Cup Challenge initiated by Bermuda High School [BHS] with support from BELCO for their significant reductions in electricity use and involving parents in an Energy Pledge.

“Finally, as a FEE Eco-Campus, the Bermuda College models sustainability as part of campus life by coordinating a ‘Trashion’ Show as part of Cosplay Chaos, working with BEST to host bi-monthly Lunch and Learns and by planting mangrove trees for greater biodiversity at Hungry Bay.

“Eco-Schools Bermuda participants received support on their sustainability pathways from a number of esteemed Delivery Partners. These partners, including Koom Consulting, Keep Bermuda Beautiful, Waste Management Bermuda, Bermuda National Trust, Department of Parks, Beyond Plastic Bermuda, Bermuda Zoological Society, BUEI and several others, provide invaluable expertise and guidance. This collaborative approach is vital in building a greener and more sustainable future for generations to come.

“Thanks to support from Butterfield Bank, the Bermuda Community Foundation, Centennial Foundation, Garden Club of Bermuda, Rennaissance Re, Sirius Point, and XL Foundation, BUEI has overseen the programme’s growth to include more than twenty local schools across the island since becoming the National Operator in 2019. This accomplishment underscores Eco-Schools Bermuda’s positive impact on the community and its dedication to fostering a culture of sustainability among Bermuda’s youth.

“To learn how you can support this programme, visit the Join & Support page on www.BUEI.org.

Additional Eco-School Awardees

Green Shoot Award [Gold Level]:

• Prospect Preschool
• Purvis Primary
• Chatmore International

Green Seed Award:

• Francis Patton Primary
• Berkeley Institute
• CedarBridge Academy

2023 – 2024 Participation Awards:

• West End Primary
• Paget Primary

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Category: All, Environment, News