BERLIN CLIMATE SCHOOL / GREEN SCHOOL

FOR THE ENVIRONMENT & NATURE

For many years, Quentin Blake Elementary School has been actively involved in school outreach to promote love for our planet and admiration for the natural world we share with it. It has long been proven that climate change is caused by human activities. Its threat to the natural world, including ourselves, has prompted us to take action with Green School projects.
The QBGS is regularly one of the winning schools in the annual Berlin climate school competition of the Berlin Senate Department for Education, Youth and Family. In addition, the QBGS was awarded – with the seal of quality for schools that specifically promote climate protection.

MOBILITY

The BUND-sponsored and supported WOFOO week (Walk to School on Foot Week) is an annual event that encourages all children, teachers and educators to come to school in an environmentally friendly way, ie to On foot, by bike or scooter or with BVG vehicles. Throughout the week, the aim is not only to spread the message that car exhaust produces CO2 and other gases that cause climate change, but also to promote a healthier start and end to the school day for children. We also want to keep the busy Hüttenweg free of parked cars, children dropping them off and blocking the pedestrian crossing at the zebra crossing.

GREEN WEDNESDAY PROJECT

Before the pandemic, we had Green Wednesday, similar to WOFOO week, where many children and staff tried to get to school on their own without using environmentally unfriendly means of transport.
The classes with the most students who came to school in the green way won prizes and received certificates.

ENERGY SAVING

As part of their science curriculum, the Year 5 classes conducted an annual energy saving project where they identified where light, heat and energy use could be reduced at school! They examined the school and even went into the school basement to examine the heating pipes under the guidance of our caretaker!
The results were presented to the whole school in an assembly, often with theatrical sketches and music.
All classrooms received a thermometer to check their room temperature. This helps raise awareness of the need to save energy.
After taking part in the ELAN competition, saving energy in Steglitz-Zehlendorf schools, which is sponsored by the school authority, we were regular guests in the Zehlendorf town hall.

ENERGY SAVING OFFICERS (ESO)

Each class has an ESO that controls energy conservation in the class. In Corona this has taken a back seat as we strive to ventilate our classrooms with sufficient fresh air. Nevertheless, we can make sure to turn off the lights and smart boards and regularly open the windows wide to ventilate.

REDUCE / REUSE / RECYCLE

In 2017, after a science project by Year 5 students examining waste sorting, all classrooms were equipped with the three bins: brown for food waste, yellow for plastic and metal, and blue for paper.

There are countless projects by many teachers and educators across the school, from fashion shows featuring clothing made from recycled materials in Arts to projects on plastic waste in Social Studies, Science and Humanities.

DRINKING FOUNTAIN

A recent success was the installation of a drinking fountain with fresh drinking water in the canteen. Children can fill their drink bottles throughout the day, reducing plastic bottle waste.

NUTRITION EDUCATION AND ECOLOGY

Many years ago, Heidi Klotz, the founder of the Green School at Quentin Blake School, planted fruit trees, shrubs and raised vegetable beds.

When Quentin Blake visited in 2011, we held a BFG (Big Friendly Garden) school festival to celebrate his visit. The Green School ethos has long accompanied our school since Quentin Blake’s first visit for our school naming ceremony in 2002 when we planted a chestnut tree in the beautiful schoolyard. This tree is thriving; In spring it blooms with beautiful red flowers, while in autumn children collect its conkers (chestnuts) for their games.

In 2021 our small playground (HofA) had to be leveled to build an urgently needed extension school building for the Bisalski School. This is where much of the fruit trees and gardening took place. As well as a recreation spot for kids and staff alike including the beach volleyball and spider web jungle gym. We are saddened by its loss, a habitat for animals and birds and a beautiful place to play.

On the other side there are two more garden beds hidden in the new development, waiting for us to use them.

Despite the reduced space, we believe there are plenty of opportunities for great new projects in the remaining playground, let’s do it!

Mrs. McFarlane

Mrs. McFarlane

Teacher

mcfarlane@qbgs.de

©QBGS, 2022

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