ECO-SCHOOLS PLATINUM
GUIDELINES 2016
The International Year of Pulses
For Eco-Schools in their 6th- 9th year
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Platinum Awards – Special Theme: Pulses
Platinum Handbook and Reporting Guidelines 2016
Note:
There are 3 ways to achieve a Platinum Award.
Choose one of the options below and remember to also maintain
previous theme projects:
1. Introduce the Special Theme of the Year (Pulses) to your school through
an action learning programme;
2. Revisit and improve on one of the 7 steps or themes;
3. Mentor a new Eco-School or Eco-Club through the 7 Steps
Option 1: Special Theme Focus – “Getting The Pulse
Going At A School”
Join the 68 countries in the United Nations General Assembly in
declaring 2016 as the International Year of Pulses (IYP). Explore the
nutritional benefits of pulses, sustainable food production, food
security and nutrition by making use of plant-based proteins in
exotic recipes, crop rotations to improve soil productivity and
critically compare calculations of your environmental footprint by
substituting pulses for meat meals.
Pulses are annual leguminous crops yielding 1- 12 grains or seeds of variable size, shape and colour within a
pod. The Food and Agriculture Organization defines “pulses” as a dry grain which can be stored for long periods,
eaten or planted to produce more pulses. This excludes crops harvested and eaten in a fresh form such as broccoli
which are classified as vegetable crops or those used for oil extraction like sunflowers. Examples of pulses are
lentils, beans, peas and chickpeas. Pulses are a vital source of plant-based proteins and amino acids for people
around the globe and should be eaten as part of a healthy diet to address obesity, as well as to prevent and help
manage chronic diseases such as diabetes, coronary conditions and cancer; they are also an important source of
plant-based protein feed for animals.
Leguminous plants, such as pulses, absorb N2 from the atmosphere through small nodules on their roots. Good
bacteria (known as rhizobia) in the nodules convert the atmospheric N2 into ammonia (NH3) which can be used by
the plant to grow. When part or all of the plant dies the nitrogen level of the soil can increase which will benefit
other plants growing in the soil.
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Further References
The following resources can be downloaded from
http://www.iyp2016.org/themes/food-security-nutrition-innovation
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10 great things you can do to get pulses going at your school
Guide to social media
National signature dish
These are my pulses videos
Lesson plans for 8-11 year olds on food security, production, soil, carbon footprint etc.
Option Two: Seven Step Improvement
The Eco-Schools programme is based on 7 steps that are used
internationally by Eco-Schools and involve:
1) FORMATION of an Eco-committee,
2) AUDITING the environmental status quo,
3) CHOOSING a theme,
4) DOING an eco-action project,
5) LINKING the action to classroom learning,
6) SHOWCASING work for external assessment and
7) RECEIVING recognition through progressive awards.
These steps provide a working framework that is adaptable to individual situations and results in improved
environmental awareness, management and whole school development. Option 2 allows self-evaluation and
reflection of past efforts and opportunity to improve and grow. For example, at Geelhout Primary school, a
permaculture garden was started five years ago, under the theme Healthy Living. Recent discussions at the school
have recognised that HIV/AIDs awareness and age restrictions on movies should be addressed. The Healthy Living
theme could therefore be expanded to include these social issues with the production of a drama, distribution and
explanation of resources and production of a video or poster.
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Option Three: Green Mentorship
Many schools in South Africa have an outreach
programme where disadvantaged communities or
schools are assisted. Provide evidence of
supporting a needy school/group/community in
becoming more environmentally aware and
active. Schools could be registered on the EcoSchools Programme. Indicate sustainability of the
intervention and how it empowers people and
improves the surroundings.
Note that donations alone may be appropriate in emergency situations, but long-term may prevent communities
from helping themselves. Start-up of libraries, recycling centres and SWOP shops are encouraged as sustainable and
enriching actions. Another worthwhile mentorship example by St John’s College, Johannesburg, at Maretlwane
Wilderness School in the Magaliesburg introduces children from Marikana, Phokeng and Mogwashi to experiential
nature outings.
Further References
The following references can be downloaded from:
http://www.wessa.org.za/what-we-do/schools-programme/eco-schools/useful-links.htm
Click on Additional Information For:
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Portfolio: Provides a brief description of the 7 steps and a framework that can be filled in and submitted
to WESSA for assessment.
 Afrikaans Handbook: Provides a detailed description of the 7 steps in Afrikaans.
 Zulu start up stories: Role model schools in KZN describe the Eco-School journey in isiZulu.
 Platinum Award Guidelines: Produced for the 2015 International year of Soils. Templates that
Platinum schools can use on what to submit can be found.
 Eco-School Report Guidelines: This has been the traditional file format that schools have used
to make portfolios of work for assessment and are still valid. Schools are encouraged to rather use a
PowerPoint, Blog, video or poster format which tends to be more visual and with summarised text.
 Handbook CAPS aligned (2013): The A-Z of the 7 steps and 5 themes with real school
examples and curriculum links.
 Diamond Award Guidelines: For the incredible schools that have received awards for 11 and
more years on the Eco-School programme.
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NATIONAL CONTACTS
REGION
KZN
Gauteng
Limpopo
North West
Coastal Region
Free State
Free State
N. Cape
N. Cape
Mpumalanga
NAME
Thobile Nzimande
Zanele Khumalo
Judy van Schalkwyk
Dr Cathy
Sue Spies
Delana Eksteen
Christelle Erasmus
Erna Groeners
Sandile Cebekhulu
Trust Ndlovu
PHONE
033-330-3931 x 2155
011-462-5663
072-455-2252
083-746-2239
043-748-5798
076-509-5369
073-148-3398
079-496-4151
079-694-9650
076-906-8549
EMAIL
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Should you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact us!
TO Share Your Work Or Get Ideas Please Keep in Touch on:
https://www.facebook.com/Wessa-Eco-Schools-South-Africa-142930950255/
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