© The Cherwell School Summer Newsletter, July 2012 Page

First flowers of a new project—Cherwell Earth have beenbusy preparing and seeding two test beds, one on North Sitethe other on South Site, in order to raise nectar rich plants.The small test beds have been sown in order to try and providefood supplies for pollinating insects that have sufferedserious population declines over recent years. CherwellEarth hopes to learnhow the experimentmight be extendedacross other areas ofthe school next year ina way that can be sustainablymaintained byground staff as an alternativeto areas of closecut grass that providelittle nourishment forhungry insects.The team has finished astrong year by yet again reachingthe finals of the Skills Factor2012, run by the Young Chamberorganisation, encouragingyoung people with enterpriseskills. This year the event washeld at Wembley Stadium. Wehave yet to crack winning one ofthe top prizes but there is alwaysnext year. The team had a fantasticday, competing and listeningto two inspirational and entertainingguest speakers –Steve Backshall and TimMinchin. We also took the opportunityto network with otherbusiness people attending.The team are currently workingon a major project – to producea CD containing music from twoof our link schools. We have ondisc the Gcato choir singing severalgospel songs, recorded byour BEFSA links, Keith and CathBorien. The Cherwell choirs andensembles will have been recordedby the end of term andthis is kindly being sponsored bya friend of the Chicken Project,Tim Stevenson, the Lord Lieu-Olympic Fact: The water from the swimming pools will be re-used to flush the toilets at thevenuePage 24 Summer Newsletter, July 2012 © The Cherwell School