RSPB Climate Action Awards

PCPS Receives Climate Action Award from RSPB

The pupils of Port Charlotte Primary School were awarded the RSPB CLimate Action Award in recognition of their outstanding environmental work. This report appeared in the RSPB 'BIRDS' magazine and our local paper 'The Ileach' (5th July 2008).

Port Charlotte Primary School were presented with the award after children and teachers undertook a long list of eco-friendly tasks, including switching off electrical appliances when not in use, and monitoring classroom temperatures to make sure that the school thermostat was not too high.

They have also been maintaining a wildlife garden, including a solar-powered water feature, and have received help from the RSPB staff from Loch Gruinart nature reserve in making and setting up bird feeders.

As well as the Climate Action Award, Port Charlotte School is also an Eco School silver award holder, and are now working towards their Green Flag, the highest level of achievement in the scheme.

Lesley Nundy, Youth and Education worker for the RSPB Wildlife Explorers, said:

“Usually when schools apply for the Climate Action Award, they just send in an entry form ticking off what actions they’re going to take. Port Charlotte Primary School went much further than that by providing a long list of the many valuable things that the children and teachers were planning to do. It’s fantastic to see such a response, and I’d like to offer them congratulations on winning their award.”

Councillor Isobel Strong, Argyll and Bute Council’s Education Spokesperson, said:

“I’m extremely proud of what the children have managed to achieve. Climate change is such an important issue that we feel it’s good to get kids thinking seriously about green issues from an early age. Port Charlotte is a very active school in the local community, and has even managed to extend its green reach out of school bounds by taking part in local beach cleans. The school is hopeful that it will be able to achieve everything that it set out to do for the Climate Action Award, and really do its bit for the future of the planet.”