In Year 12 all students are given the opportunity to apply to be Subject Representatives.

But what does it actually mean to be a Subject Rep at NHEHS?

We asked Year 12 Geography Rep Immi.

What does it involve, why did you sign up for it, what else have you done this year for it and future plans?

In this role of geography representative, we hope to promote the subject around the school, as well as highlight the importance of understanding how the Earth works and the ways in which we impact it.

As geography representative, we give notices in assembly, run geography surgery for Year 11s, as well as geography and conservation club at lunchtime, and conduct our own assemblies.

We have also recently made a new Environmental Activism Society, involving many Year 11s and Eco Representatives from Year 10 who are passionate about making a change in our school.

So far, we have involved all years in making a huge Blue Planet inspired installation during Science Week, linking with the theme of Amazing Animals. During this, we began with a thought-provoking assembly, addressing the importance of combating plastic pollution, as well as providing resources and videos for the Friday PSHCE lesson.

Another member of the Geography Rep team, Martha, alongside other Eco Reps in Year 10 conducted an assembly to spread awareness for anti-idling week. This consisted of the dangers and risks of leaving an engine running, as well as what we are doing nationally to combat this, and what we aim to do as a school. They held a poster competition and put several posters outside the school, handing them to parents to remind them to turn off their engines

Later in the year we hope to bring speakers in to address topics our school is interested in, especially climate change and how to reduce our carbon footprint.

Are your messages getting across?

Throughout this year, we have seen a huge surge in interest surrounding how our school can become eco-friendlier and reduce our waste even further. We have implemented new recycling policies, introducing recycling bins into every classroom in the main school and sixth form, and applied a charge to the cardboard cups (lined with a layer of plastic) used for hot drinks in sixth form.

Did you make the environmental posters on the walls all over school?

The environmental posters are made by a few of the members of the environmental activism society in Year 11, with the aim to produce a school-friendly and creative way of expressing the importance of climatic issues we face.

What are you most proud of as a Geography Rep?

I think as a team we are most proud of how the Blue Planet installation turned out. It was really rewarding to see the impact that the school can collectively have in spreading awareness for issues like plastic pollution. Being able to see the extent to which everyone can contribute into making one huge installation as a school was really rewarding, leading us to hopefully plan something similar for the future.

What do you do at home to help the environment?

I make sure to remind my family to switch off all the lights when not needed, recycle any materials possible, and reduce the amount of unnecessary plastic packaging when we shop.

I also have purchased reusable tote bags, ensuring that I don’t need to buy any carrier bags in store, as well as carrying a reusable water bottle, instead of single use plastic ones.

If you could suggest just one thing to help the environment, what would it be?

I think I would suggest minimising or eliminating the number of products you buy with unnecessary plastic packaging.

This is largely concerning fruit and vegetable goods, so instead of buying these at a supermarket, maybe go to a local market and bring your own reusable bag to put them in.

With the government recently stating that bans will be put in place for some single use plastic items next year (cotton buds/drink stirrers), this is definitely a step forward in the right direction. We hope to adopt little changes like this locally and advance to become a waste and plastic free school.