Pupils present fantastic plastic project to Council

Pupils from St Andrews Primary School enjoyed a visit to the Council Chamber in School Place last week.

The P6 pupils from the school, as well as studying local democracy, have been working on a project to reduce single use plastics at their school.

The project - 'Be Fantastic - Reduce Your Plastic' - has seen them introduce environmentally friendly water bottles into the school and produce key rings and bracelets from recycled products.

During their presentation they presented details of their project to Council Convener Harvey Johnston, Council Vice-Leader Leslie Manson, vice-chair of the Council's Development and Infrastructure Committee Andrew Drever, Director of Development and Infrastructure Gavin Barr and Head of Executive Support Karen Greaves.

The presentation also gave them the opportunity to find out more from the Council about its own plans to reduce single use plastics in Council facilities.

Councillor Andrew Drever organised the visit. He said: "It was a pleasure to host the visit from the P6 pupils at St Andrews Primary School. We were all hugely impressed both with the level of discussion and with the work that the pupils have achieved with their Be Fantastic - Reduce Your Plastic project - they've shown a great commitment and drive to reduce plastics in their school and their local environment."

Mark Taylor, Head Teacher at St Andrews Primary School, said:“I am very proud of the standard of work our P6 pupils have produced and the level of understanding of the subject they have developed. The key aim of our curriculum is to develop our pupils capacity to be successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens and this project has clearly given the pupils the opportunity to develop these qualities. Many thanks to the outstanding work of their teachers Mrs Moar and Miss Drever who, with passion and creativity, facilitated and inspired the children’s learning.

"The pupils have used the skills they have developed to bring about change through the local democratic process. They were delighted that they were invited to discuss and debate single use plastics with council representatives and that they have played their part in helping influence the councils policy.”