AMBERLEY SCHOOL ART AND PHOTO COMPETITION

We are excited to launch the Amberley School NR Art and Photo competition 2019 based on the theme of 'SPRING'. Please watch the video below to hear from co-sponsors 'Coco Confectionery' and read the rules to enter.

WIN BIG!!

There will be one winner chosen from each year group, and each winner will receive some of the amazing, and eco friendly sweets from the fabulous folks at Coco Confectionery (more on them below). There will also be a grand prize of a wildlife camera for the overall winner.

Win sweets and a wildlife camera (exact model my vary)

RULES

Please hand in your entries to the School office by 1st April 2019.

You can submit any form of art, in any shape or size, so long as it follows the rules below. Take time to consider your subject matter carefully - look around at the wonders of nature close by, up above, and all around you. Maybe you'll be inspired by a flower pushing through as the season develops and the weather warms up. Maybe it'll be the vast expanse of the night sky which captures your imagination (there are stars that'll be brighter at this time of the year than others, or constellations which are only visible at this time).

The scope of what you can do is almost limitless.

We want you to be creative using whatever techniques and resources you have. We want you to have fun, and most of all we want you to be inspired by, and considerate towards nature. Nature is so very rewarding to those who take the time to appreciate it - we owe it to be careful and considerate in return.

Leave no footprints

What do we mean? This is one of the most important aspects of being a Nature's Racer, and being considerate to nature in general. We all want to get closer to nature and to experience the benefits it brings, but it's also important that when we do so, we don't disrupt, scare or damage it. We feel the phrase "Leave no footprints" describes this best - tread so lightly that nothing changes and no one would ever know you were there.

Coco Confectionery ROCK!

We're delighted to be teaming up with the amazing Annabel Wigley and Sofia Corgier of Coco Confectionery in Nailsworth. We're very grateful to them for not only providing some amazing prizes for the competition winners, but also for their eco-friendly approach to doing business. The following quote from their website sums this approach up perfectly -

We value being stewards of the environment, and will always ensure that we are as green as possible. In Coco we use compostable packaging – it's so easy to find eco-friendly products nowadays that it would be crazy not to.

If more business owners could take such a responsible approach, the world would be a better place. Annabel - Sofia - at we salute you!

POSTERS

Posters will be available around school and in each classroom.

POSTER - NR Art and Photo competition - SPRING 2019

If you have any questions you (or a responsible adult in your life) can contact us by sending an email to naturesracers@gmail.com or by using the form at the bottom of the Nature's Racers homepage.

GalLERY OF IDEAS

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NOT A 'THING'

An everything

Remember, Nature's Racers is not a 'thing', it's an everything! It's a way of thinking, and a way of being. Watch this space for a growing range of upcoming events, ideas, projects and activities, permeating all walks of life. Our goals are simple - help people enjoy life by being more connected with the natural world around them, and encourage people to care and protect nature so we hand it over to future generations in the best state possible.

SAVE RANGTAN

There's a Rangtan in my bedroom... You DO know what to do...

This years Christmas TV ad by Iceland Foods has just been banned for being too political.

Whether you agree with this or not, the underlying message in the advert should not be suppressed or ignored. The fact that a prominent UK high street supermarket has decided to not only raise awareness, but also try to bring about tangible change, regarding the critical issue of sustainable palm oil production, is good for us all.

Scene from Iceland Foods Christmas advert.

In this season of excess, in a world dominated by consumption, we could all probably do with some gentle reminders about the impact our 'desire for more' has on the planet and it's inhabitants (including ourselves!). This short animation is hard hitting and incredibly well produced. It might not have a place on UK TV, but with online viewing being so popular these days, the ban will probably have a limited impact on the number of people who see it.

The topic of palm oil is a complex one, but that doesn't mean we can afford ignore it. Many are still unaware of the impact palm oil production has, and most of us (if we're honest) are largely clueless as to just how widely it's used in our food and what we buy, use and consume.

You can watch the full Iceland TV advert below, and we urge everyone to do so. Simple emotive films like this one can be a good reminder for us all, and hopefully after seeing it we'll each try to be more aware of what is used to create the many luxuries we enjoy, without thought, every day.

Perhaps a few of us might even be motivated to ask our own preferred places to shop what they're doing to help ensure all palm oil becomes sustainable, and that 'Rangtan' and his friends don't lose their homes, or lives, due to our ignorance or greed.

For those looking to omit Palm oil completely from their weekly shop, here is one source of guidance from the website "ethical consumer".

https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/palm-oil-free-list?fbclid=IwAR3JRRb-GG7zpOas4xbvbmYrgNDnmCVl1iZ5EwfAlc9EFdmWd1lpSnKmelA

Whilst omitting Palm oil completely is one approach, others argue that Palm oil production itself has less of an impact on the environment than alternative crops, and as such avoiding Palm oil all together isn't the solution, and instead the focus needs to be on sustainability and conservation.

We'd love to hear your thoughts. Why not visit us on Facebook to share your ideas and suggestions -

https://www.facebook.com/NaturesRacers/

Ecobricks

Plastic pollution is fundamentally caused by short sighted, linear thinking and ignorance of plastic’s properties.  Many people don’t realise just how dangerous and toxic plastic can be – they thus continue consuming, tossing, burning or recycling their plastic.  'Ecobricking' attempts to address this directly. 

ecobrick wall

Plastic is made from petroleum molecules, which are made from oil.  The burning of plastic (globally one of the most common forms of plastic disposal) generates 3.1Kg of C02 per 1Kg of plastic.  When plastic is left in the sun, C02 is also released in the photo-degradation process.  The release of C02 is one of the major causes of global warming.

Hundreds of thousands of people around the world are turning to the 'ecobricks.org' project as a way to take personal responsibility for their plastic.

To find out more, watch the video below or visit https://www.ecobricks.org