ST PETER The Apostle High has became the first secondary school in West Dunbartonshire to be given a Green Flag Award, thanks to a group of dedicated pupils.

The school in Clydebank was awarded the prestigious Eco Schools flag by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful.

A group of pupils have spent the last three years focusing on improving litter and developing the outside gardens at the school.

Linda Booth, headteacher, said: “I am absolutely delighted that our school has been awarded the eco flag in recognition of the excellent work carried out by young people and staff.

“Our commitment to St Peter the Apostle High School being a sustainable eco-friendly environment has been recognised and it is with great pride that we will fly our eco flag.”

Eco-Schools Scotland aims to make environmental awareness and action an intrinsic part of the life and ethos of all schools, for both pupils and for staff.

At St Peter the Apostle, waste is monitored and pupils are informed of the volume via the school website and wall displays, encouraging zero waste.

Outside, pupils have built large vegetable gardens and a bee and butterfly garden which in turn has encouraged development of the outdoor classroom.

The compost bin is regularly filled with food waste from the Home Economics department and pupils empty this into the gardens.

Pupil Leeann Jancroda told the Post: “I think being eco-friendly is important because of the world problems we have like climate change.

“We try to send this message across in school by making posters and having assemblies with information about the bins.

“Even outwith school I am eco-friendly. At home we use compost bins and separate paper, glass and everything else. It is just a part of our daily living.”

And pupil Shannon Mckelvie said: “I’ve learned a lot, and I even grow things in my own garden with the things I’ve learned.

“We sell all the produce we grow to get money to grow more the next year so I go round the classes to sell them to teachers. I also take some home and make a healthy dinner for my mum which encourages me to eat healthier.”

Teachers Heather Peplar, Gay Norman and Kathleen Murray have been involved and say they will be flying the flag high after three years of hard work and dedication by pupils, parents and staff.

Pupil Maria Yakovchuk said: “We take out the blue recycling bins and put the food waste out to the compost bins.

“We also spend time in the garden and go to assemblies and recruit throughout the year.”

Youngsters are encouraged to join the group by the current members.

Pupil James Boncodin said he enjoyed the process of presenting in front of other year groups and trying to recruit new members the most.