WESSA Schools Programme Impact Report 2020

Robert Carruthers School

eMalahleni, Mpumalanga

Established in 1903, Robert Carruthers School is the oldest school in eMalahleni, catering for learners from age five to fifteen. Having been a proud member of the WESSA Eco-School Programme for the past thirteen years, we are the longest standing Eco-School in Mpumalanga. We have been on a worthwhile journey, promoting education for sustainable development and were proud to receive our Green Flag Decade Award in 2019. We consider ourselves to be a proudly environmentally-friendly school.

experiences to support curriculum delivery. We have found that this instils a lifelong love of the outdoors as well as a love and appreciation for nature. Outdoor learning has also had a positive impact on our educators’ practice, health and well-being. Every year, Robert Carruthers School commemorates special environment days such Mandela Day, Arbor Day, and World Environment Day. Our celebrations include a variety of activities and action plans involving all learners at school, which raises their environmental consciousness and sense of involvement. They are indeed making everyday Earth Day and learning at this school transcends the classroom environment, helping learners to apply what they learn into real life problems – to find reality-based solutions.

example, enthusiastically launched a dedicated glass recycling drive. Parents were asked to send empty and washed glass bottles, jars or containers to assist us with this worthy initiative. All glassware collected was donated to a non-profit organisation, which used the money to feed a destitute community living on the outskirts of eMalahleni. We love making a difference for communities in desperate need. LEARNING BY EXAMPLE Mrs Angela Murdoch is our school’s driving force behind the Eco-School initiative. She gives presentations at school assembly on the importance of looking after the environment. During these informative sessions, Mrs Murdoch makes sure to include practical advice on diverse topics, such as how to reduce the consumption of plastic items in our daily lives, or on pollution.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability is integrated into everyday teaching and learning from a very young age, with our school’s eco-code being:

“We care – We give – We support – We are aware”.

As we say to the learners’ parents: “If you are wondering how to

become involved, wonder no more. It is simple; do not litter and teach your children not to litter either.”

Robert Carruthers School is currently involved in white paper recycling-, water saving- and tree planting projects. We also undertake various outreach programmes to support vulnerable community members as part of a social responsibility programme.

LEARNING FROM NATURE

Robert Carruthers School promotes high-quality, outdoor learning

The Leader Body of 2019, for

WESSA Schools Programme | Stories of Change | 2019/2020 45