Seven students participated in the first ever GDST Sustainability Conference, hosted by Blackheath High School
Students listened to lectures on Sustainable fashion, something which can be both compatible to the principles of environmental conservation and ideas of teenager creativity and self-expression! It was a sobering reminder, however, that 3 out of 5 garments end up in landfill within 12 months and fashion contributes 3-8 % of total greenhouse gas emissions. Professor Natascha Radcliffe-Thomas, a GDST Blackheath Alumni, reminded all of us of the 7 Rs (4 more than usual) – reduce, reuse, repurpose, repair, recycle, resell, rent, revolt – when it comes to the clothes we wear.
Students also participated in a workshop on Bees and were encouraged to look up when next outside. David Rea, a man whose passion for bees cannot be underestimated, challenged students to spot a Yellow-Legged Asian hornet nest. If you see one, let us know!
On another note, Sutton High has just signed up to GDST Energy Reduction programmed, where students will be monitoring for themselves the energy consumed here at school. Using a programmed called Energy Sparks, students in our Eco Club have already found out the following facts:
Last week, Sutton High’s electricity baseload was 35% more than the average over the last year. If this trend continues, it will cost the school an extra £63 000.
Our school’s electricity use in 2024 / 2025 Christmas holidays has increased by 9.6%, compared to Christmas 2023 / 2024. The electricity cost was £13 000.
All is not in vain, however. The following measures have been implemented in the past 12 months:
Switching off hot water in school holidays
Added timers to printers and photocopiers
