STUDENTS at Down High School have embarked on a project that helps to promote biodiversity, healthy eating and well-being.
They came up with the idea of creating grow bags and involving other local schools in the area in the initiative.
A spokesperson for the school said they are looking forward to seeing how everyone gets on and there are plans for the participating schools to get together in the autumn “to celebrate with a harvest feast”.
“The grow bag project arose from discussions with the Eco committee and Eco enrichment groups in Down High,” the spokesperson added.
“As an ambassador Eco school, we wanted to get the local Downpatrick schools more involved in collaborative projects.
“Growing and creating sustainable food production was an ideal choice.
“It lends itself to the curriculum and fulfils many of the Eco Schools NI criteria.
“It is also good for promoting biodiversity, healthy eating and well-being.
“Growing from seed and harvesting and eating the produce is a life affirming experience.
“If we can embed these skills in our young people today, we are equipping them with lifelong skills and a mindset that will help them become more sustainable adults.
“Therefore, we decided to design and create grow bags.”
The school added that the grow bags needed to be as sustainable as possible.
It was also decided that the pupils and staff of Down High School would get involved in producing them.
“All material was donated, and Mrs McCabe from the Art department let us use the sewing machines.
“Thanks also goes to teachers and staff who also helped us to sew the bags.
“Eighty per cent of the seeds provided in the grow bags was provided free of charge by Mr Brian Faulkner from Seeds Ireland.
“These were sent in bulk bags which the Down High School pupils then put into smaller labelled seed packets.
“Newry, Mourne and Down District Council also kindly donated sunflower seeds.”
There are around 11 different seeds inside each bag.
“We have tried to give each school similar seeds, but with a little added variety for fun.
“The compost has been very kindly donated by New Leaf Compost in Moira.
“The plant labels were made from cut offs from NI plastics in Shrigley, Killyleagh.
“Thank you to the Technology department for cutting the boards into strips for us to shape into plant labels.
“Finally, our HE department provided information for recipes that would use the produce grown from the seeds.
“We look forward to tracking the progress made by local schools and in the autumn term we will all get together to celebrate with a harvest feast,” the spokesperson concluded.