In the autumn term of Year 10 in 2018, girls were given the opportunity to follow their own passions and take up Leadership positions for the year within the school, including Eco, Digital, Volunteering, Journalism and Debating.

Sophie, Brianna and Zahra applied successfully to be Eco Leaders and have made a big difference to increasing awareness about the environment at school.

This was the first year of Eco Leaders at NHEHS, so the girls were able to demonstrate their passion for the the environment and make the roles their own. Determined to help inform and improve knowledge in school about the environment, the three Reps set about making changes within school to be  more environmentally conscious.

As part of the role, the girls had to plan, run and promote various activities working towards the TFL Stars Bronze Award which taught them valuable time management, communication and organisational skills as well as how making small changes as part of our everyday lives can really make a difference to our environment. 

Activities included leading a school assembly during Bike Week to promote the benefits to the planet and our health of walking or biking to school. They encouraged Senior School girls and staff to cycle or walk to school to be entitled to a free breakfast at the end of the week! The three Leaders also set up a stand at Junior School Fun Day to help spread the word about climate change, anti-idling, plastic pollution and to encourage more walking or cycling to school.

Anti-idling was a key message for the Leaders which they promoted at an assembly in conjunction with the Sixth Form Geography Reps and through a whole school poster design competition. They also spoke to both Junior and Senior school parents at pick-up and drop-off times to help get their message across, even gaining approval from a local policeman passing by! 

As part of Science Week here at NHEHS in the spring term, they brought plastic waste and climate change to the fore with an art exhibition of model sea creatures made from plastic waste.  

Asked if they have learned anything they can use in their studies or outside of school, Zahra replied “Of course! All knowledge about out climate can be used all through life. We learned about plastic pollution, idling and the devastating effects it can have and how important travel is/ what a big contributor it is. It also encouraged us to be more active and generally environmentally aware in things like recycling and bringing re-usable bottles.”

A fantastic year’s work culminated in the award of the TFL Stars Bronze Accreditation for 2019 in September!

Congratulations to Sophie, Brianna and Zahra!