Eco Week at Stonar
As part of Globeducate's Eco Week, pupils and staff at Stonar School have been actively engaging in a range of activities designed to promote environmental awareness and sustainability across the school community.
We began the week with an Eco Committee meeting, where pupils were assigned specific areas of the school site to assess for potential environmental improvements. Tasks included evaluating energy use - such as checking for LED lighting in classrooms, as well as identifying other opportunities to make the campus more sustainable. This initiative empowered pupils to take ownership of real, practical changes within their environment.
A second group of pupils focused on exploring the school’s on-site pond ecosystem. Through observation and detailed field sketches, they developed a deeper understanding of local biodiversity and the importance of maintaining healthy aquatic habitats.
In assembly, we introduced an exciting new initiative: house mascots inspired by animals native to the British countryside. Pupils were invited to vote for their favourites, with each mascot chosen to highlight the richness of local wildlife. This activity also tied into a wider discussion about the challenges facing British species today, including invasive species, urbanisation, and habitat loss.
Eco Week also provided the perfect opportunity to launch a new project developed by the Biology Department, in collaboration with our dedicated gardening team: the Stonar Tree Trail.
The gardeners have played a key role in supporting the project, working closely with staff and pupils to help identify and catalogue the wide variety of trees across the school grounds. Stonar is fortunate to have a rich and diverse collection of around 42 different tree species, reflecting the history and development of the estate over time. For the purposes of the trail, 20 of the more accessible and prominent trees have been selected.
The Tree Trail is a multidisciplinary educational experience designed for both Prep and Senior School pupils. It combines elements of biology, geography, and art to encourage outdoor learning and exploration across all age groups. Selected trees around the school grounds have been marked and labelled with plaques displaying their names, along with illustrations of their leaves, seeds, or fruits. Each tree has also been given a unique name by senior biology pupils, and QR codes link to additional information.
The trail is fully mapped, allowing it to double as an orienteering course - helping pupils build navigation skills while engaging with the natural environment. Creative activities such as bark rubbing and pinhole photography further enrich the experience.
As part of their studies, Year 9 pupils have recently completed a topic on alternative energy generation. To consolidate their learning, they created their own “Top Trumps”-style cards, comparing different methods of energy production. This activity encouraged pupils to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each approach, helping them develop a more balanced and informed understanding of sustainable energy solutions.
Our Prep School pupils also enjoyed a hands-on experience in the school allotment, where they planted beans as part of their Eco Week activities. This provided a valuable opportunity for pupils to learn about food growing, seasonality, and the importance of sustainable practices. By getting involved in planting and caring for crops, pupils developed a deeper appreciation for where food comes from and the role they can play in looking after the environment.