OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD work by students in lockdown has won their Ellesmere Port school a top award. Year 7 and 8 students at Ellesmere Port Catholic High School worked hard on the Life on Mars project, which saw pupils get astronomically creative, including the creation of a stop-motion animation, a virtual reality world and well-researched concepts of how humans could get to, and live on, the Red Planet. Ellesmere Port Catholic High students award-winning Life on Mars project. Part of a stop-motion animation depicting the launch from Earth and landing and exploring Mars. The extensive work, done as a joint venture between the school and careers education charity 4wardfutures, was even more impressive as it was carried out during the 15th week of the first coronavirus lockdown, long after most students had stopped attending lessons in person.
The first Eco Committee at Birchwood Community High School was formed in June 2018. From a student-led recycling programme, to participating in litter picks with primary school children, students have shown great commitment to improving their school and the environment. In September 2020, all the pupils work paid off when they were selected and shortlisted by the Educate Awards North West for the ‘Outstanding Commitment to the Environment’ award. Explaining why the team had been chosen, the Educate Awards said: Birchwood Community High School’s eco-committee is made up of students who care about the environment and want to make the school eco-friendly.
Birchwood High School finished in second place for the Outstanding Commitment to the Environment Award. This was part of an annual event celebrating the excellence of schools in Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire and Greater Manchester Presented by broadcaster Simon ‘Rossie’ Ross, the ceremony connected with judges and sponsors via Zoom, who revealed the winners. The event then crossed live to the individuals from the winning schools. Kim O’Brien, founder of the Educate Awards, said: I would like to say a big well done to the runners-up, those who were shortlisted and everyone who took the time to enter last year.