‘Laudato Si’, the second encyclical of Pope Francis, invites us to protect God's creation for future generations. It asks us to embrace lifestyle changes for our own good as well as to take care of people who are poor and are more vulnerable. Pope Francis called for all people of the world to take swift and unified global action. 

You can find out more here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOgF2Kgel6k

Why do we have a Laudato Si' group?

-To ensure our school is eco-friendly and to prepare children to live with reflection of the environment

-To make sure each class has a platform to voice their opinions

-To discuss and raise issues related to the environment

What happens in the meetings?

We begin each year by completing an environmental review to find out our schools successes and areas for improvement. We then use this to create an action plan for the upcoming year. Throughout the year each Eco Councillor meets with their class to discuss ideas about changes and improvements to the school. The issues are then raised in meetings and Laudato Si' discuss how to move forward with these ideas. 

At the beginning of each meeting, we pray together.

May 2025 

A very kind donation of onion plants was received from a grandparent along with detailed care notes. These were planted out and a thank you note was sent.  Additional plants and seeds were purchased and with the support of Mrs Winster's gardening club, these were planted out.  Courgettes sown from seed began to flower, potatoes and runner beans began to flourish.  Using fallen branches, Miss Owens and Mr Kenny created a trellis for our peas to grow up.  Strawberries were planted in donated hanging baskets and tomatoes were placed in our miniature greenhouse. Further donations were received of tomatos and courgette varieties different to those we were alredy growing.  We also had some surprise radishes harvested which had self seeded from last year! Wildflowers began to bloom and additional wildflower seeds were scattered to attract further pollinators. 

After some research, companion plants were sown such as marigolds and nasturtiums.  May provided plenty of challenges with the lack of rainfall meaning our water butt was empty! This did not deter our green fingered children who diligently filled up watering cans and recycled plastic water bottles to create drip irrigation systems. 

February - March 2025

We prepared the outdoor beds by wedding and mulching using our own compost created from our compost bins.  Together we took stock of seeds we had already, seeds harvested from last year and created a wishlist for this year.  Using the RHS vouchers received last year, Miss Owens bought additional seeds and supplies.  We then sowed seeds inside on the windowsill. 

After school club had very kindly donated stones they had decorated for the Peace Garden.  These were placed around our trees for all to admire and be inspired by. 

January 2025 

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch

Together we read Genesis 1:20 and  discussed how birds are mentioned frequently within the Bible and are a prominent symbol.  

Explored the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch resources online- listening to bird calls and looking at birds that are seen in British gardens.  We looked at the type of food they prefer.  We also spent some time outside with binoculars birdwatching.  Following this, we looked  for suitable places that bird food could be put in our Peace garden.

December 2024 

A Green Christmas 

The ambassadors researched ways in which people could have a simpler, more environmentally friendly Christmas.  They created posters in their journals and one was chosen to go on the school Dojo story.  Using natural resources, some members also created decorations which were distributed to members of our community, such as Miss Harvey, Fr Mark and local care homes where Y6 were carol singing. 

November 2024 

Local Area Litterpick

Two of our GIFT team groups, the Laudato Si’ and Caritas ambassadors joined forces to do a litter pick around our local area. We were fortunate to be joined by local councillor Councillor Elaine Stringfellow who enjoyed chatting to us about our groups. This was an after school event, so we are very proud of our pupils for putting your love for the community environment into action. 

October 2024 

from Emily Cahill - Environment and Learning Officer - Laudato Si' centre

The Laudato Si’ team met with Emily Cahill - Environment and Learning Officer -from the Laudato Si’ centre in Salford. We talked to her about our journey so far and she was very impressed with the actions we have taken.   

Outside,  we explored our growing space and discussed which fruits and vegetables we have grown so far and the trials and tribulations associated with this. Together we discussed what to plant next and where to plant them, as well as considering how to attract insects and animals. Each child created a sketched plan to assist us in their personal Laudato Si' journals.  

Emily then asked us how our actions link to ‘Love’🫶 ‘Inspire’ 🙌and ‘Shine’ ✨Their responses were very reflective and I was very proud of them. Emily asked us to recall stories about Jesus and highlighted links to the environment in each of the.  Collectively, we took part in a specially written prayer and explored items inside our prayer bags.  

It was a wonderful couple of hours and the children’s knowledge and passion shone through.  The designs created informed the crops we have sown and the positions we have grown them in.

September 2024

Visit from Energy Engineer Mark Maguire

We were lucky enough to have a visit from Mark Maguire from Lancashire County Council.  He explained that his job is an “Energy Engineer” who goes around schools and colleges advising them on how to reduce their energy output.   

We discussed the different types of light we can use in our classrooms and corridors and as a group and we were very much for the use of natural light where possible. Mark showed us a light reading app and explained that in a corridor, we need 300lux.  He also showed us the solar panel meter box, which was fascinating.  We are hoping to have an app soon which will show us the amount of energy generated by the solar panels on our roof. 

Mark's visit prompted the ambassadors to create stickers and signs to be displayed around school reminding people to switch lights off wherever possible.  They also stuck stickers on the remotes of the teacher's interactive screens too.  Each class has been asked to have an energy monitor whose role it is to turn off lights when they are not required. 

2023-2024

September 2023 - Clean Air Crew launch

In September 2024, three of our Y5/6 representatives accompanied Miss Owens to the Civic Centre for the launch of the clean air crew. They took part in an interactive quiz, made smoothies using a bike, saw electric vehicles, met exhibitors promoting solar panels and other sustainable ideas. We were fortunate enough to have a chat with the Mayor of South Ribble about our mission and received recycled pencils, seeds, bulbs and tote bags. 

November 2023 - Fundraiser for bird food

With the development of the Peace Garden, the group were keen to attract more wildlife to our space.  As some birdboxes had been erected within the grounds, we sought a way to fund the food for them.  Miss Harvey kindly gifted us with some blank wooden keyrings.  For 50p, children could decorate them with glittery pens and helped us raised £48.50! Miss Owens then carefully selected bird food that was suitable for use in the school grounds.

Visit from Jo Beaman 12th December 2023

Some of the Laudato Si' team met with Jo Beaman who is the Climate Emergency Engagement Officer for South Ribble Borough Council. She met with us to discuss our interest in composting. The children asked excellent questions and were given brilliant advice regarding the subject.

Email from Jo Beaman (Climate engagement officer) after her visit

Dear Miss Owens and the Laudato Si’ group,

There are a few things that I didn’t mention that may be of use.

Tree planting – Lucy asked how many trees I personally had planted and I gave her part of an answer but not the whole picture.  In fact, in South Ribble since 2019 we have planted around 139,000 trees in our parks and open spaces, in school grounds, with businesses and landowners and given over 27,000 trees away to residents to plant in their own gardens.  We have been tasked by Councillors to plant more (55,000) trees this winter and next winter but have run out of space to put them on our land now.  So, if school would like some free trees then please let me know.  I am happy to come along and work with the children and show them how to plant trees (if they don’t already know!).   I have also attached a poster for our resident giveaways this winter that can be shared with parents.   More details on our website - https://www.southribble.gov.uk/treegiveaways

Have you come across Kids Against Plastic https://www.kidsagainstplastic.co.uk/ ??  This was set up by two young British school girls who wanted to do something to reduce the amount of plastic litter in their area.  They are now still only 18 and 20 and I have seen them present their work as part of a United Nations climate change webinar!!  The website is full of ideas and resources for teachers and Eco Councils for tackling waste in school and the local community.  Nothing on food waste yet, but it is due next year …. 

As I said, we want to hold another Climate themed event for schools next September and make it bigger and better than this years!  Any ideas on what you would like to see there or a theme for the event would be gratefully received. 

If I can help with anything, let me know and I will try and do my best. 

 Keep dreaming big!!! 

Kind regards,

Jo Beaman
Climate Emergency Engagement Officer

Let's get growing! 17th January 2024

Accompanied by Miss Harvey, a small group of our Laudato Si' members joined 20 other schools at an event which aimed to get schools growing plants, trees and vegetables. They learnt about bees, fuchsia plants, orchards, and many more interesting things. We had chance to plant with and learn from lots of different people. We even tasted honey! We came away with free plants, seeds, compost and information to help in our Peace garden.

Recycling at home

The group were interested to know the extent to which our families recycle at home and if there was anything we could do to promote recycling.  A questionnaire was sent to families and staff via the School Story on ClassDojo. The results were pleasing showing that many are using local initiatives such as recycling paper,cardboard, plastic and glass as part of the Council's recycling scheme. As many people did not know recycling of aersols and textiles was available, the group did some research and signposted parents to these websites: 

TEXTILES: https://www.recyclenow.com/recycle-an-item/clothing-textiles

RECYCLING: https://www.southribble.gov.uk/article/1288/Bin-collection-days

Book Swap

To coincide with World Book Day, the Laudato Si' team were keen to recycle read books.  The idea was simple, bring a book, take a book. Taking place over two lunchtimes, the stall was popular with pupils of all ages. The team are looking to hold future book swaps so watch this space!

Laudato Si' around school