Green Schools

We are working towards our eighth Green Flag!

Our theme is Global Citizenship – Marine Environment. We really enjoyed a visit from Emily Scriven who talked to us about Marine Biology and underwater eco systems.

We have a great partnership with Stabannon Tidy Towns and we are involved in the National Spring Clean every Springtime, when we all work together to keep Stabannon tidy.

Green Schools Logo

PickerPals

PickerPals

Pupils from Infants to Second Class are involved in PickerPals. As part of this fun, engaging programme, the children take turns to take the PickerPals kit home. The kit contains litter pickers, rubbish bags, gloves and high-viz jackets. The idea is that everybody does a little tidy up around their own area. With the right motivation and tools – children, teachers, families and communities will create a better environment for our shared future.

Planting Seeds

Vegetable Planting

All classes have been very busy planting seeds for our vegetable garden. Planting seeds is so important and the children really enjoyed it. Watching plants grow is a fun and educational experience. Growing seeds teaches you how nature works, responsibility in caring for something, an interest in environmental sustainability and taking pride in the result. Always choose easy seeds to plant that are large enough to handle and germinate readily. We planted an array of vegetables including carrots, radish, kale, beans, shallots and much more. I know some children took our seeds home to look after. Read below for some gardening tips and tips on planting and taking care of seeds.

Easy vegetables to grow: Peas, radish, kale, carrots, beetroot, potatoes, lettuce, spinach and scallions.

Easy flowers to grow: marigold, sweet pea, sunflowers, fuchsia, nasturtium, daffodils and many more.

Tips For Your Garden!

Gardening Tools

Remember!

  • Start small, whether it’s a container or raised beds; give your garden time to grow
  • Plant seeds that are easy to grow – vegetable seeds
  • Don’t forget to water your garden
  • Use compost for healthy plants
  • Enjoy the experience

Gardening Tools

  • Watering can
  • Gloves
  • Rake
  • Hoe
  • Shovel
  • Trowel
  • Wheel barrow

Compost

Kitchen and garden waste like food and grass cuttings can be broken down by bacteria and fungi to turn it into compost. Compost is very nutritious for growing gardens.

What can you compost?

  • Anything that was once living will compost – banana skins, apple cores, potato skins
  • Grass clippings and weeds rot quickly
  • Old and tough plants decay slowly, such as wood clippings and should be broken in to smaller pieces
  • A good compost heap should have a mixture of fast decaying materials and slow decaying materials

Tips on planting seeds in containers or planters

  1. Place your soil into your seed starting container. Moisten the soil before you plant your seeds. (If you water the soil after planting your seeds, the water can shift the seeds around.)
  2. Look at your seed packet for directions on how deep to plant your seeds.
  3. To keep track of which seeds are planted, write the names of the seeds on lollipop sticks and place them in the soil.
  4. Place the planter in a sunny spot and water regularly. Keep track of your seeds in the journal below. Once your plants are strong enough and the weather is right transplant outside. Choose a sunny spot to transplant your plants. Water and weed regularly. Enjoy!