RAPS Eco Awareness Summit Has High Hopes
While world leaders are planning the protection of the planet at the high profile UN COP26 climate change summit, a quieter eco revolution is under way at Ramsgate Arts Primary.
In recent years children and staff have pledged to do all they can to improve the sustainability of their environment while embracing the need for change on a global basis.
And RAPS held its own Eco summit with a day-long awareness initiative for children to be further informed and understand more about what they can do to environmentally safeguard the future.
The school’s elected Eco Guardians – children of all age groups who will help spearhead awareness in school – have written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and world leaders with a simple plea to make sure all the plans discussed at COP26 take effect as soon as possible.
In the open message written on behalf of the school, they say: “We are watching all of the news from the COP26 meetings and we are discussing what you all say you will do to help our planet and its people, the creatures, our oceans and our lands, and our climate change problems.
“We are proud to tell the world leaders that we are doing our best every day and we held our own special Eco Day summit. The idea is to improve on the important lessons we have had for many years about caring for our planet and our community such as recycling, litter clearing, reducing the use of plastic in our school, using electricity wisely in school, and protecting our wildlife.
Listening to the progress and promises you are all making gives us hope for the future – for our families, our friends and for generations to come.”
The range of educational initiatives during eco day included a sculpture competition for class groups with the winners receiving a weather station from Cummins Power Generation at Ramsgate; the arts team working with children and parents to draw a forest with eco tape on the main hall walls to illustrate how trees make a positive change to our lives; an initiative with the nationwide EcoKids Project to collect around 250 bags of quality unwanted clothing instead of it going to landfill in exchange for money for outdoor learning resources; and an information assembly with Thanet council about how to tackle litter problems locally.
Head of School Nick Budge said: “These are vitally important lessons for life that our children are learning every day, and they will make a difference by embracing the crucial need for environmental sustainability and integrating it into their lives.
“Our Eco Day was a focus point to assess how far we have progressed in
recent years with the school’s eco strategy. It heralds the start of even greater efforts by children and staff at school, at home and in the community.
“Our children are enthusiastic and determined to safeguard the precious world that we share through collective responsibility.
“At RAPS our message is simple - caring for the environment never stops.
Recent RAPS initiatives have included litter clear ups in Ramsgate town as well as in their own school environment; and becoming a Plastic Clever School under the national Kids Against Plastic campaign to reduce their use of single-use plastic polluters - cups and lids, straws, bottles and bags, cutlery and crockery.
They have also embraced ‘no technology’ days across the whole school (unless children have specific writing needs) to reduce the consumption of electricity and for pupils and staff to consider the amount of screen time they could potentially be exposed to.”
Another environment friendly idea is the national Walk on Wednesday scheme, where children are encouraged to walk to school or be dropped off and walk some of the way.
Meanwhile the environmental theme continues to run throughout the school’s curriculum and the books children read and art projects often support the green awareness campaign, such as the successful Ocean Challenge awareness project that highlighted the damage that dumped rubbish causes to marine life.
Throughout their time at RAPS, pupils have the opportunity to learn about the environment in each year group ranging from recycling and litter, through the impact of humans on the environment, deforestation, climate change, pollution conservations, fair trade and renewable and non-renewable energy.
Deputy Head of School Hanna Beech explained: “Our teaching of environmental issues is cohesive and progressive. When our pupils leave us in Year 6 they have developed the knowledge and awareness they need to make informed choices about how they might contribute towards a thriving community.”
Diversity, ecology and the environment has also been ongoing themes from collaborative community projects by RAPS with The National Gallery, Turner Contemporary Gallery, Dreamland Margate, plus visiting artists and arts leaders in music, drama and dance.
Ramsgate Arts Primary School is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Upton Junior School and Chilton Primary School.
*For more information, contact Mr Budge on 01843 582847
Ghoulish games and creepy creativity gave young children a Halloween to remember at Ramsgate Arts Primary School.
Early Years Foundation Studies lead Sophie Spurrier explained: “The children were immersed in lots of different art activities across all areas of learning. These used lots of different techniques such as printing, painting, making and decorating.
“Creativity is a central part of life at RAPS and having a full day with so many different learning experiences is brilliant – these little ones have only been with us for a few weeks but they are really engaged with all of the different types of learning that our specialist arts primary can offer.”
Early years children and staff at Ramsgate Arts Primary were the stars of a worldwide online educational show.
Years provision at RAPS and how it successfully it engages young children and encourages and supports their educational pathways.
“Lots of people have been asking questions about resources and Ramsgate Arts Primary - so much so that we have a school in Athens, Greece, now planning to visit us in February next year.”
“I am astounded with the response it generated worldwide with some individual posts reaching nearly 1000 likes. It is so important to share Early Years practice and we have loved having this opportunity to feature on such an incredible EYFS platform.
“It reinforces what we strive for – that our education and learning futures for all our children are of a very high standard from their first moment at RAPS, even from when they visit us before they join our school.”
fun learning. Sometimes it’s just fascinating to see what early childhood education looks like in another part of the world. “
Police dog Ciara was put through her paces when she visited children at Ramsgate Arts Primary School.
Head of School Nick Budge said: “This was real treat for our girls and boys. They learnt a great deal from their friendly chat with PC Barnes and were entranced at how he and Ciara worked so well together.
Cats and dogs reigned when the pets became the stars of the show during a visit to children at Ramsgate Arts Primary.
He said: “It was lovely to see the children enjoy the company of our puppies and the kittens.
Community spirit plays a large part in the educational development of young children at Ramsgate Arts Primary School.
Head of School Nick Budge said: “This is a fine example of learning in action. We are very proud of the role our school plays in the wider community through a number of diverse projects and initiatives.
Children at Ramsgate Arts Primary have been served up a tasty return to school.
Chicken lasagne; spinach, sweet potato, lentil curry and rice; macaroni cheese; jacket potato with variety of fillings; fresh carrots and garden peas; wonky strawberries; homemade flavoured breads; fruity yogurts; cheese and biscuits.
RAPS children are happy to give the new meals their seal of approval. Leo said: “The salad bar has great options, like olives and feta cheese or crunchy peppers,” while Grace added: “We have lots of main meals to choose from and there is freshly baked bread too.”
kitchen team of Laura, Ange and Mandy for several weeks teaching them the way the company expects their meals to be prepared and presented.
“We offer a range of four options on our daily menu for dinner and pudding and there is always a salad bar and fresh fruit too.
Four year olds are already settling into life with a smile at Ramsgate Arts Primary School in Ramsgate.
food in the mud kitchen, painting, messy foam play, drawing and making music on the stage.
She said: “The children have settled so well into life at RAPS and they have only been here a short while.
