Bishop Michael Eldon School has always had a commitment to environmental responsibility, education, and practice, fully integrating them into school policy and curriculum. The Anglican Central Education Authority (ACEA) has observed the impressive student, administration, and faculty participation rate of the eco-committee, its clear goals, and the communication with the entire student body through its ongoing awareness campaigns. Bishop Michael Eldon School is committed to maintaining a litter-free campus, reducing waste, and reusing material as much as possible. These efforts led to the favorable result of the Green Flag assessment this year.

Eco-Schools is the largest sustainable schools programme in the world, operating in over 50 countries across Europe, Africa, the Middle-East, Asia, the Caribbean and the Americas.  Through a simple, seven-step change process, Eco-Schools empowers children and youth to take an active role in running their schools in ways that benefit the environment, while engaging in fun, action-oriented learning and community outreach. Participating Eco-Schools are part of a global network, solving real-world environmental issues faced by local communities through the investigation of themes including energy, waste, water, biodiversity, climate change, litter and healthy living.  Successful Eco-Schools are awarded the Green Flag, an internationally-acknowledged symbol for environmental excellence.

The Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF) and Eco-Schools Bahamas (ESB) National Steering Committee announced that the ESB Assessment Team found Bishop Michael Eldon School deserving of the Green Flag Award - an international symbol of environmental excellence.

National Eco-Schools Coordinator Marcia Musgrove said, “The assessment team was quite impressed with the knowledge displayed by the students on your school’s eco-committee and noted that these young leaders are destined for greatness.”

During the assessment, eco-committee member students shared their knowledge of the environment and the shared responsibility to protect and preserve it. In the assessment, special commendation was given to Mrs. Selim Dela Pena, Eco-School Coordinator. Her passion and dedication to this work was evident to the ESB Assessment Team which credited her for the leadership skills and environmental interest which were evident the students.

Principal Anita Doherty said, “We are proud to be recognized by BREEF and ESB as an exemplar among schools with a robust program that truly engages our students, encouraging them to learn about the environment, the impact we have on it, and how can be responsible citizens.”

Bishop Michael Eldon School is proud of its achievement, and will continue to lead the way in environmental education and responsibility. The school will receive the Green Flag Award - valid for two years - and an Eco-Schools award certificate.

Jennifer Basden, Chief Development Officer of the ACEA said, “The ACEA is committed to the environmental responsibility and sustainability, and we encourage our schools to implement programming to truly educate students, and create opportunities to practice what they’ve learned. Bishop Michael Eldon School has been leading the way, proving the success of hands-on learning.”

Programs and campaigns will continue and grow over the next two years with close monitoring of energy use, ensuring bins are properly labelled, and continuing to recruit students to join the eco-committee.

Ms. Basden said, “We are certain that the success of these initiatives will encourage other schools to develop their own environmental programs with Bishop Michael Eldon School leading the way.”

BREEF is the National Operator for the Eco-Schools Bahamas Programme and has partnered with the Keep Grand Bahama Clean Committee to support Grand Bahama schools through successful implementation of the seven-step improvement process. Visit www.breef.org for further information or call (242)327-9000.