Science Week at Vita et Pax Prep School: A Focus on Sustainability
This week at Vita et Pax Prep School, we are celebrating Science Week with a strong focus on sustainability, reinforcing our school’s commitment to environmental responsibility and educating our students on how they can make a positive impact on the planet. Each year group has engaged in various hands-on projects, all aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of sustainability.
In Reception, our youngest learners are taking on a fun and meaningful project: collecting milk bottle tops made from plastic. This initiative is part of their learning about recycling and its benefits. The children are excited to see how small actions, like collecting and recycling plastic bottle tops, can contribute to a cleaner environment. As they collect the tops, they are also learning about the importance of reducing plastic waste and how recycling helps to conserve resources and reduce pollution. This activity is helping them develop early habits that will stay with them as they grow.
Year 1 and 2 students are focusing on packaging, with a trip to a local supermarket to explore the types of packaging used in various products. They are investigating whether the packaging is necessary and considering if more sustainable alternatives could be used. This ties into their topic on materials, where they are learning about the properties of different materials and how those properties influence packaging choices. Through this trip, they are gaining insight into the environmental impact of packaging and developing a better understanding of how they can make environmentally conscious decisions.
Year 3 students are tackling the issue of food waste. Every day after lunch, they weigh and track the amount of food waste produced by the school. Their efforts are focused on raising awareness about food waste and brainstorming practical ways to reduce it, such as encouraging students to take only what they can eat and composting food scraps. Their work emphasizes the importance of sustainability in our daily lives and the role we all play in minimizing waste.
In Year 4, students are diving into the topic of marine wildlife and how to reduce plastic pollution in the oceans. They are learning about the harmful effects of plastic waste on marine ecosystems and exploring ways to protect marine life. Through research and discussions, Year 4 is gaining a deeper understanding of the urgent need to reduce plastic usage and take action to protect our oceans.
Year 5 students are focusing on recycling textiles. They organized a successful clothes donation drive, “Bags2School,” where families donated unwanted clothes for recycling. A total of 180kg of clothes were collected, reducing textile waste and promoting the importance of reusing and recycling old clothing. Through this project, Year 5 students have raised awareness about the environmental impact of the fashion industry and the need for sustainable clothing practices.
Year 6 students are working on individual sustainability projects, which will be showcased at an exhibition later this week. These projects are designed to inspire and encourage the school community to adopt more sustainable practices. From researching energy conservation to exploring waste reduction strategies, Year 6 students are taking initiative to make a lasting impact on our school’s environmental practices.
Beyond individual year-group initiatives, the whole school is making collective efforts to reduce waste and energy consumption. Students are being encouraged to turn off lights and taps when not in use, helping to conserve resources. The Year 6 School Council recently held an assembly to share practical tips on being more sustainable, including reducing single-use plastics and conserving water.
In line with our efforts to be more eco-friendly, we have introduced Meat-Free Mondays in the school cafeteria. This initiative encourages students to think about the environmental impact of their food choices, particularly in relation to reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with meat production.
At Vita et Pax Prep School in North London, we are proud of the steps we are taking to become an eco-school. From the youngest Reception students to our Year 6 leaders, everyone is actively involved in promoting sustainability. Through Science Week, we are not only celebrating science but also empowering our students to be responsible and proactive stewards of the planet. Together, we are making a lasting impact on our environment, one small change at a time.
