The Saddlers Learning Centre helps to make recycling fun during Challenge Day...
BOARD games aimed at making recycling fun were designed by children as part of a Challenge Day organised by The Saddlers Learning Centre in association with Walsall Council's schools programme.The aim of the day was to encourage youngsters to be clean and green.
Four primary schools - Abbey Primary, Whitehall Junior, Elmore Green Primary and Alumwell Junior took part in the initiative run by Sue Lane of The Saddlers Learning Centre and Walsall Council's Education Officer, Vicky Bloor, from the Clean and Green team.
Teams of six pupils from each of the schools were given an introduction to recycling, including details of the top 20 list of recyclable items in Walsall and why it is important to recycle. They also learnt about the impact on the environment together with the financial costs of not getting involved or putting the wrong items into the recycling bin.
After the initial briefing, the pupils were challenged to come up with their own recycling games which were judged by Walsall FC's Commercial Manager, Nina Best and youth team players Liam Kinsella and Wes Rush.
The winning team was Whitehall Junior who were presented with a trophy and medals by first-team player, Milan Lalkovic.
Councillor Mohammed Arif, portfolio holder for the environment in Walsall Council coalition, said: "Events like this are a great way of introducing children to the importance of recycling and looking after the environment and by keeping it fun will hopefully help them to retain the information.
"Our schools education programme is an important way of getting our key messages across and instil good recycling habits from an early age. We are also grateful to Walsall Football Club for joining forces with us and helping to run fun sessions such as this one."
Milan Lalkovic added: "I really enjoyed it. The children were all really interested in recycling and it was great that they were able to learn more about the subject here at Walsall FC.
"The children seemed to enjoy the day and it was nice to be able to present Whitehall Junior School with their medals and trophy.”