Longest standing Eco-Coordinator in the world!
Andy Clark, England’s first Eco-Coordinator retiring after flying the Eco-Schools Green Flag at Canon Burrows since 1998.
When we received the email telling us that Andy was due to retire at the end of October we knew we had to do something special to thank him for his phenomenal dedication in helping young people protect the planet. After getting over how gutted we were to hear this news we knew an *embarrassing* news story to celebrate Andy’s fantastic Eco-Schools achievements was a must.
So here are a few little messages Andy, to show you how much you have meant to everyone you have taught, worked with and interacted with across the Eco-Schools programme.
Harry, Year 5: Mr Clark is one of my favourite teachers because he makes the whole school the best pancakes every year and he is very funny. Mr Clark is also very eco friendly and he likes to have a good chat. I am thankful for Mr Clark making our school a better place.
Freya, Year 5: Mr Clark is extremely fun to work with and cares about the environment. Every day he goes to check his flowers and he is always on the lookout for litter that he can pick up. He always makes sure that we all get to help him and learn about the eco work that our school finds so important.
Sophie Riley, teacher and former pupil: Mr Clark is the teacher that every child remembers. Full of knowledge, confidence and inspiration. He fills every environment with awe and wonder, whether it’s during a class input or on an adventure outdoors. What a pleasure it has been to have him as a teacher, colleague and friend. I am incredibly proud of him and what he has achieved during his time at Canon Burrows.
Miss Suzanne Fildes, Headteacher: Mr Clark has been the driving force behind our sustainable development work for the last 31 years. We would not be the eco friendly, award winning, plastic free school that we are without his commitment to the children, the community and to preserving God’s precious world. We know that we have big wellies to fill upon his departure but we are determined to continue his legacy to the best possible standard and continue to educate global citizens of the future who care about their planet and know how to look after it.
Mrs Mackenzie, colleague: Mr Clark has been an inspiration to so many children and staff over the generations at Canon Burrows including myself with his passion and love for the outdoors and his eco work. He has nurtured and cared for our outdoor green spaces and inspired us to see them as a perfect classroom to teach and learn in. He has also been a joyful and caring colleague at our school with a joke at the ready or a helping hand for anyone who needs it. I hope you have a very happy retirement with your family and friends. You will be missed, but never forgotten. You’ve done so much for all of us!
Laura Jamieson, colleague: Mr Clark’s passion and genuine care for the environment is infectious. You cannot help but be swept along in his enthusiasm! Nothing is too much for him. Whether it’s helping me to make the Early Years outdoor area more welcoming for minibeasts or co-leading a Wild Challenge club with me, I couldn’t have done it without him. He is a font of environmental knowledge and will be sorely missed!
Pramod Kumar Sharma, Senior Director of Education at Eco-Schools International: Eco-Coordinators like Andy Clark have shaped the Eco-Schools programme in the form we see it now. With their commitment and hard work, they laid the foundations of the programme and nurtured it to empower generations of sustainability-oriented citizens. Andy is a role model for educators globally!
Richard McIlwain, Deputy Chief Executive, Keep Britain Tidy: Andy’s work supporting the Eco-Schools programme, the young people whose attitudes and behaviours he influences and his broader work across a range of environmental initiatives since the early 90s, is nothing short of incredible. I’m sure Andy won’t be putting his feet up in retirement and will continue to be active in promoting a better environment. I’d like to put on record my own personal thanks for a phenomenal career and his continuing passion for the Eco-School programme.
Andy speaking our Eco-Schools National Award Ceremony in December 2019 after Canon Burrows won the Eco-Schools Life Time Achievement Award.
https://www.facebook.com/251741901523653/videos/603032743805222
Find out more about all the amazing Eco-Schools actions that Andy and his
Eco-Committees have carried out over 10 Eco-Schools Green Flags in their
Canon Burrows Biography
And finally, one last thank you Andy, from all of the Eco-Schools England team. It’s always great to speak to you and share stories about the eco-work you have carried out with your pupils. Whenever we needed a school case study or a teacher interview you were always on hand and ready to help, offering new ideas and support to other Eco-Coordinators as they start their Eco-Schools journey. We’ll never forget at the Eco-Schools award ceremony when one of our other awarding winning school’s Eco-Coordinators said “There’s Andy Clark, I did my teaching practice at Canon Burrows with him”. We honestly didn’t plan that one, but it highlights perfectly the eco-positivity you pass on to others. It has been an absolute pleasure to have worked with you Andy… the longest standing Eco-Coordinator in the world!
Thank you for everything you have done to support and grow the programme.
Lee, Karyn, Francis and Shona.
