Primary pupils clean up Renfrewshire

Feb 10 2009 by Gavin Pennie, Paisley Daily Express

PRIMARY schoolchildren had success in the bag when they took part in our Clean Renfrewshire campaign.

A total of 90 youngsters from St Peter’s Primary, in Glenburn, Paisley targeted their school grounds in an attempt to instil a sense of pride within their environment and encourage others to step forward to ensure the campaign retains momentum.

Armed with litter pickers, black bags and the support of the Clean Renfrewshire team, the pupils soon had the place looking spick and span.

Following the launch of the campaign in May 2008, over 885 volunteers from a wide variety of youth and community groups and schools have taken part in over 45 clean-ups.

This was the first clean-up the enthusiastic primary four and five pupils at St Peter’s Primary have taken part in since the launch of the campaign.

Eight-year-old Aimee Nicholson said: “The clean-up was great fun and the results were amazing. Our playground is now absolutely spotless.”

Jack Geddes, also aged eight, added: “We all worked really hard and picked up a lot of litter. We had to search high and low but it was really worth it and great fun. The playground looks really good.”

The event was staged as part of the school’s Eco Action Day and the hard work and determination of the children not only left the grounds looking spotless but also helped to ensure the school now has its Green Flag award.

As well as reducing the amount of litter in the school grounds, the pupils have also been tasked with improving recycling, saving energy, saving water, keeping fit and healthy, walking to school and looking after their garden.

Maura MacRobbie, acting principal teacher and eco school coordinator at St Peter’s Primary, said: “The children did a fabulous job. They showed a great amount of enthusiasm while cleaning up the school grounds and I would really like to commend their hard work.

“The Clean Renfrewshire campaign has demonstrated that people of all ages have a responsibility to make sure their environment is kept clean and tidy.

“Taking part in this clean-up within the school has also encouraged the pupils to work together as a team.

“Those who participated will now be seen as good role models and, hopefully, everyone in the school will follow their lead and make sure that our school remains clean and a place which we can be proud of.”

Councillor Marie McGurk, convener of Renfrewshire’s Environment and Infrastructure Policy Board, added: “The support which pupils from St Peter’s Primary have shown towards the Clean Renfrewshire campaign demonstrates that people are still determined to push the campaign further forward and make it succeed.

“Groups such as St Peter’s Primary have significantly contributed to the great headway which has been made over the course of the last eight months to create a cleaner and tidier Renfrewshire.

“However, there is still scope for further improvement and more people must be encouraged to get on board.

“I am confident that we can all pull together and build on the success we have achieved so far to ensure Renfrewshire will be continued to be viewed as a bright and attractive place to live, work and to visit.”

Renfrewshire Council is pumping a massive £2.7million into the campaign and the Paisley Daily Express – every Buddie’s favourite newspaper – is getting right behind the project.