As the new school year kicks off, it's a perfect time to embrace a variety of fantastic initiatives that promote sustainability and fit perfectly with your school's PSHE and SMSC goals. From Second Hand September and Organic September to other awareness days like World Car Free Day and Zero Waste Week, these movements can enrich your school environment and inspire students to become conscientious global citizens.
What is Second Hand September?
Second Hand September, launched by Oxfam, encourages people to buy only second-hand items for a whole month. This initiative raises awareness about the environmental impact of fast fashion and promotes the benefits of reusing and recycling.
Bringing Second Hand September into Schools
Clothing Swaps: Organise a clothing swap event. Encourage students and staff to bring in gently used clothes they no longer wear and swap them for something new-to-them. It’s a fun way to refresh wardrobes without spending money or contributing to waste. We know what you're thinking... organising a clothes swap in the first month of the academic year? No, thank you! However, you can be clever about this. Why not set it as the first project for your school council? There you have it, you're killing two birds with one stone. Amnesty International have a great guide here from their events in 2022.
Upcycling Projects: Introduce upcycling projects in art and design classes. Students can transform old items into new, creative pieces, learning valuable skills and reducing waste simultaneously. From an EYFS classroom to Secondary or College this is always a crowd pleaser. You can be as creative as you wish!
Second-Hand Book Fair: Host a second-hand book fair where students can exchange books they’ve read for new ones. It’s an excellent way to promote reading and recycling. This may be your saving grace, it's not too complicated and can be easily arranged. It could be a simple project that continues throughout the year in each classroom, this would work particularly well for primary!
What is Organic September?
Organic September, spearheaded by the Soil Association, is all about raising awareness of organic farming and the benefits of organic food. This initiative encourages people to choose organic products to support a healthier planet.
Incorporating Organic September into Schools
Organic Garden Projects: Start or revamp a school garden using organic seeds and methods. It’s a hands-on way for students to learn about organic farming and sustainability. Again, don't panic! You can start with teaching the children about the concept in September and then gradually organise the garden project throughout the year. Don't take on unecessary extra tasks, allow your school councils or youth ambassadors to lead the way,
Organic Lunches: Work with your school’s catering team to include more organic options in the lunch menu. Highlight the benefits of organic foods to students and parents. We get it, this is much easier said than done, so tread carefully and make sure you put as many organic myths to bed as possible! The cost of living crisis is real and not everbody will appreciate being encouraged to eat organically without clear guidance and accessibility. Check out soil associations suggestions here.
Workshops and Talks: Invite local organic farmers or experts to give talks and workshops. This can give students firsthand knowledge about organic farming practices and the importance of sustainable food choices. This Organic box scheme will help you find where there are organic farms near you, giving you some potential farmers to contact!
Linking to Curriculum Goals
These initiatives aren’t just about being eco-friendly—they’re also fantastic for meeting various curriculum goals. They can be integrated into PSHE by discussing the social and environmental impacts of consumer choices, and into SMSC by fostering a sense of community and responsibility towards the environment. They also offer practical applications for subjects like science, geography, and art.
Celebrating Other September Awareness Days
September is brimming with other sustainability-focused days that can be incorporated into your school's activities.
Zero Waste Week (2nd-6th September): This week encourages reducing waste in all areas of life. Hold a zero-waste challenge in your school, where students and staff aim to produce as little waste as possible. Workshops on recycling and composting can further enhance their understanding and commitment.
International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer (16th September): Use this day to educate students about the importance of the ozone layer and the measures needed to protect it. Activities can include science projects on ozone depletion and class discussions on environmental policies.
World Car Free Day (22nd September): Encourage students and staff to walk, cycle, or use public transport instead of cars. This can be a fun day with activities like a group walk or bike ride to school, promoting both fitness and environmental awareness.
UN Summit of the Future (22nd-23rd September): Incorporate discussions and activities around the themes of this summit, focusing on global sustainability goals and future challenges. This can include debates, model UN activities, and research projects on sustainable development.
Recycle Week (16th-22nd September): Organised by Recycle Now, this week aims to encourage everyone to recycle more. This year's theme, "Rescue Me," calls for individuals to rescue recyclable items from heading to the rubbish bin.
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Recycling Workshops: Conduct workshops to teach students about the importance of recycling and how to do it correctly. Include activities like sorting waste and creating posters about recycling benefits.
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School-Wide Recycling Drive: Organise a recycling drive, encouraging students and staff to bring in recyclable materials. Track the amount collected and celebrate the school's efforts at the end of the week.
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Recycling Art Projects: Integrate recycling into art classes by having students create art from recycled materials. This can help students see the potential in items that might otherwise be thrown away.
Getting Started
Collaborate with Colleagues: Get other teachers and staff on board to support these initiatives. The more, the merrier!
Promote the Initiatives: Use school newsletters, social media, and assemblies to spread the word and get students excited.
Set Clear Goals: Define what you want to achieve with these initiatives, whether it's reducing waste, raising awareness, or simply having fun.
Second Hand September and Organic September offer wonderful opportunities to teach students about sustainability in a practical, engaging way. By participating in these initiatives, you’re not just helping the environment—you’re also empowering your students to make a positive impact on the world around them.
So, why not give it a go this September?
Here at VotesforSchools we understand you may not always have the time to organise clothes swaps or to coordinate with the kitchen staff to introduce organic food in the school canteen. That's why this year we've introduced a new VoteTopic calendar which outlines the topics we aim to cover throughout the year and guess what? Organic September and Second-hand September are there!
We’ve planned it all out to make your life easier and ensure your students get to discuss the most relevant issues. Fancy a sneak peek? Sign up for a 14-day free trial.