Barry Comprehensive School

Barry Comprehensive celebrated the end of their first year on the Eco –programme with a visit to the Centre of Alternative Technology at Machynlleth in North Wales. The centre offers a unique alternative way of living, making use of hydro and solar power. It also explores ways of encouraging biodiversity and a more sustainable lifestyle.

Fifteen pupils, two members of staff and a member of the Vale’s Healthy School’s initiative, Ms. Marie Johnson, spent two nights in the centre’s grass topped Eco-cabins, collecting their own water and monitoring their own electricity. Brynteg Comprehensive school in Bridgend stayed in the neighbouring Eco-cabin and the two schools joined together to face the challenges of a more environmental lifestyle. There was no television, radio or computers, but no one seemed to miss them. Pupils were far too busy on the range of activities on offer and preparing and cooking their own meals. Highlights of the visit included a ‘meals from around the world’ tasting session organised by Marie. This was a real ice-breaker and the pupils enjoyed tasting the different foods.

Pupils enjoyed building their own wind turbines, learning how to reduce their carbon footprints and taking part in a sensory experience in nearby woods – many are still wearing the mud! Pupils were also giving the responsibility of caring for an egg (hard boiled as precautionary measure!) for the duration of the visit. Eggs needed to be cared for responsibly at all times; there was an egg fashion show and an Eco-egg home exhibition. Even Egg blogs have been created. Some eggstremely bad egg jokes are still doing the rounds….