Wick pupils ‘wowed’ by new wind turbine

South school pupils watch excitedly as the turbine blades burst into life after the start button was pressed by the eldest pupil, Liam Bissett. Photo: J. McDonald.

A WICK school is striving towards a greener future by harnessing the power of wind.

South Primary turned on its Highland Council-approved wind turbine earlier this month when eldest pupil Liam Bissett helped head teacher Pat Bowers to flick the on switch.

Ms Bowers said it was a great moment when engineers confirmed the spinning turbine was bringing power into the school.

“The children and staff were wowed when the huge blades started to turn. What an exciting moment for everyone as the whole school was out viewing the historical ‘green’ moment,” she said.

“It’s absolutely fantastic. When the kids look at it they just think it’s great Caithness wind is being changed into electricity.”

Pupils and teachers can now view the power produced and energy used, as well as the carbon dioxide reduction, from a display screen in the school reception area.

Ms Bowers said: “Whatever energy is produced from the wind turbine comes directly into the school and is changed into the appropriate current and we then use it up during the school day.”

Any electricity produced which the school does not use is put back into the national grid.

The school’s “eco-thinking” does not end there, however, as the huge wooden crates used to store the turbine parts are to be recycled as new planters for the school garden. The children will paint the boxes blue and add compost and wildflower seeds.

The head teacher said she hopes they will produce a blaze of colour as well as a promote the message of reusing materials.

The eco-friendly ethos at the school continued last week when a large number of children turned up wearing something green to celebrate National Green Britain Day.

Throughout last Wednesday various classes were visited by the Highland Council’s waste management officer, Andrea Wotherspoon, who gave pupils a talk on how reduce their carbon footprints.

The youngsters made paper footprints with pledges written on them, explaining what they were each going to do to help create a sustainable future.

Ms Bowers explained this was part of the national eco-schools programme, an international initiative to encourage whole-school action for the environment.

“It’s very much about the children being more eco-friendly in the school and in the wider community,” she said. “The ultimate goal is a green flag, so we go from bronze to silver to green. It all depends on how far along with the green message that you are.

“We got our bronze flag in March which was a great achievement for us so now we’re striving for silver.”