Sustainability at Pembroke

Ensuring Safe & Organic Food
One of our key focuses recently has been on food. Last year, we decided to examine our suppliers and farmers to ensure that the food we provide to our students is not only safe but also as organic as possible. This means working closely with local farmers and suppliers who share our commitment to quality and sustainability. Most of our vegetables are now sourced from the nearby organic farm just a couple of kilometres from school, run by Anne Bruntse who is passionate about farming organically. We’re delighted to be minimising the children’s exposure to pesticides, and also be contributing to a healthier ecosystem all round. Our kitchen is proud to be providing nutritious meals that support our students growth and well-being, while also being kind to the planet. In addition to Anne’s farm, we now have our own Living Machines Growhouse… more below!

Embracing Farm Life & Biodiversity
Our commitment to sustainability extends to farming within the Pembroke grounds, where we have introduced several exciting initiatives! Pembroke House now has 80 chickens, providing fresh eggs daily for our kitchen. We also now have a cow in calf, which is wonderful and will no doubt make life extremely exciting for all the students involved in the school farm! Our Living Machines Growhouse is another highlight, producing a variety of delicious, organic vegetables that go straight into our meals. These are harvested by the children, and they are so proud to be involved. Plus, our bee-keeping efforts have yielded an impressive 18kg of honey recently. These hands-on farming experiences not only supply our kitchen but also offer valuable learning opportunities for our students. We’re also excited that the Mama Owl who lives just outside the girls’ dormitory has had three owlets who are roosting in the chapel tower. It’s a good sign that we’ve got a lot of diversity around school! The gentle tawit-tawoo at night from Mama Owl is a lovely comfort for the children.

Turning Waste into Resources
Waste management is another critical area where Pembroke House is making strides. We have implemented a comprehensive waste strategy that includes sending all our food waste to local pig farmers. This not only reduces landfill waste but also supports local agriculture. Additionally, we are working with a recycler to collect paper and plastic waste, ensuring these materials are processed responsibly. By turning waste into resources, we are teaching our school community the importance of recycling and the impact of their choices on the environment.

Involving The IAPS Family of Schools
Recently, our Head of Academics, Ali Omell, hosted an IAPS Geography meeting for teachers, which was entirely focused on sustainability. Following that, the IAPS schools sent representative students from Year 6 to enjoy a weekend of sustainability immersion. This was the first of its kind, and we involved the children in adventure learning, building the cow shed, orienteering, collecting vegetables for lunch, and making bird boxes. Mr Aung set up a camera trap at the waterhole near the staff shack, and captured a few night animals wandering around. We’re excited to develop this further!

Involving our Students
Perhaps most importantly, we actively involve our students in our sustainability efforts. From participating in farming activities to learning about waste reduction, especially during mealtimes, our students are at the heart of our green initiatives. We are also setting up a School Sustainability Committee, where children can take leadership roles and put forward their ideas around sustainability. This hands-on involvement ensures that our students understand the importance of sustainability and empowers them to make a difference.

As we continue to develop and expand our sustainability initiatives, we invite you to stay tuned for more updates. Pembroke House School is committed to cultivating a greener future, and we are excited to share our journey with you. Watch this space for more information on how we are making a positive impact on our environment and educating the next generation of eco-conscious leaders!

As always, we’re open to ideas. If you have any, please send them over!