The Eco-Schools programme is internationally managed by the Foundation of Environmental Education (FEE) in Europe and is implemented by 51 countries. In South Africa, the Eco-Schools programme was initiated in 2003 and to date we have more than 1200 schools participating in the programme, of which seven are in the greater Plettenberg Bay area.
The Eco-Schools Award ceremony was held at the beautiful Anglican Church Hall in Plett
Decor to give the venue a celebratory ambiance.
The Nature’s Valley Trust (NVT) is the node coordinator for the WESSA Eco-Schools programme in the Bitou region and has supported the schools since 2010. This programme has proved to be very beneficial and successful and has resulted in more schools wanting to join the programme. Schools have to register every year and have to comply with a certain set of requirements and objectives to successfully complete every year. On Friday the 14th of March, NVT hosted an award ceremony to hand over certificates to schools which successfully completed the 2013 Eco-Schools year. It is with great pleasure that we announce that all 5 schools that participated in the 2013 programme were awarded progressive awards by WESSA. The schools have to submit a portfolio of evidence at the end of each Eco-School year which then gets moderated by WESSA coordinators to determine whether they are awarded their yearly progressive certificate. For this Eco-Schools year, we are pleased to announce that two more schools have joined the programme, yay!
Cindy addressing the teachers and learners.
Crags Primary receiving their Silver Award
Kranshoek Primary receiving their Bronze Award
Formosa Primary receiving their Bronze Award.
Schools that received awards for 2013 include:
- Crags Primary – received the Silver WESSA Eco-Schools certificate for completing their 2nd year
- Plett Christian School – received the Bronze WESSA Eco-Schools certificate for completing their 1st year
- Formosa Primary – received the Bronze WESSA Eco-Schools certificate for completing their 1st year
- Kranshoek Primary – received the Bronze WESSA Eco-Schools certificate for completing their 1st year
- Plett Secondary – received the Bronze WESSA Eco-Schools certificate for completing their 1st year
Cindy officially welcoming Coldstream Primary back to the programme.
Plett Secondary School receiving their Bronze Award.
Plett Christian School receiving their Bronze Award.
Cindy and Babalwa going over the arrangements for the day.
Phakanmisani – and Coldstream Primary schools joined the programme this year and we look forward to working with them. We are excited to start this new Eco-Schools year and wish all the school the very best. “There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different to the things we do” – Freya Stark.