Essex school wins competition to further green ambitions

Mersea Island School has won £250 in recognition of its efforts to be greener as part of a competition held to mark this years’ Essex Schools Green Day.

Sponsored by the region’s largest independent retailer the East of England Co-op, the school on West Mersea saw off competition from entries from schools across the county. The school has an established Eco Warrior Group of children from every year group who meet every week to drive the schools' green plans forward, from carbon reduction to reduce, reuse and recycle. The prize will help the Eco Warriors bring more of their sustainability plans to life. 

Essex Schools Green Day was launched in 2021 by the Multi Schools Council as an opportunity for schools across Essex to learn more about the environment and how to take action to protect it. As well as a visit to the winning Mersea Island School, colleagues from East of England Co-op have been out in force across the county to support Essex Schools Green Day and deliver assemblies on why it’s important to look after the environment and ways to help. 

Deputy Head at Mersea Island School Sarah Poole commented: “For us, Green Day has been a celebration of the work of our Eco Warriors this year and we couldn’t have been more proud to be recognised for our efforts.  The children proposed and, with the help of staff, planned and resourced the day enabling it to be a true success. The children took part in a range of activities including gardening, bug hotel making, beach cleaning, reusing and recycling materials and a no electricity drive for the day.” 

Commenting, East of England Co-op Head of Sustainability Steven Fendley said: “Essex Schools Green day has been really inspiring. It was fantastic to see just how engaged the children are in the environment and we have been pleased to play a small part in nurturing that enthusiasm. In just its second year Essex Schools Green Day has been a resounding success and we hope the impact will be long-lasting.” 

Visiting five schools across the region, the East of England Co-op gave out wildflower seeds to encourage more pollinator-friendly green spaces and talked about ways to use less energy. The East of England Co-op is also encouraging the set-up of soft plastic collection points in schools, as these can now be recycled in East of England Co-op food stores.  

The schools that received a visit were Cann Hall Primary School in Clacton-on-Sea, Home Farm School in Colchester, Mersea Island School, St Joseph’s Primary School in Dovercourt and Unity Primary Academy in Colchester. 

The East of England Co-op publishes an annual sustainability report which can be read here https://your.eastofengland.coop/sustainability.html.