We are delighted to share the news that one of our Diocesan Schools, St Mary’s CE Academy Walkley, has been chosen as a finalist for a Church Times Green Church award. They have been shortlisted in the “Action on a Shoestring” category for their work to embed care for the environment into the life of the school.
A year ago the school formed an Eco Committee with a group of pupils aged 7-10. Since then new initiatives have included joining a TerraCycle scheme to recycle plastic bakery bags, encouragement of active travel to school and an RSPB bird watch in which children and their families took part.
A key achievement has been the development of a school garden. An area of the school site has been transformed into a space for growing food and attracting wildlife. This has been done with donations from supporters and staff as well as local community groups. The children were delighted to be able to pick the first fruit and vegetables from the garden in the summer term.
Involvement of families has been important too and the school produces a monthly newsletter to keep parents and carers updated on local and national environmental initiatives as well as the work done in school.
Representatives of the school, along with Diocesan Environment Officer Cathy Rhodes will be attending the awards ceremony in London on 26th September when the results will be announced.
Diocesan Environment Officer Cathy Rhodes:
“The Diocesan Environment Team were so pleased to hear that St Mary’s CE Academy has been shortlisted in the Church Times Green Church Awards. We had a joyous visit to the school earlier this year when the children showed us the garden and talked about all that they had learned. Their teacher Sylvie Roux has done an amazing job in leading this work. We are really proud of the school and all they’ve achieved in working together to care for God’s beautiful creation.”
Sylvie Roux, Teacher at St Mary’s CE Academy:
“We are delighted to be a finalist for this award. Our children understand the damage caused by climate change and pollution, but we wanted to give them a message of hope and show them they can lead the way and have a positive influence on others. We teach our children to understand their worth as an individual part of God’s creation and we encourage them to be good stewards of all that God has given them. We are looking forward to attending the awards ceremony and meeting others working towards a common goal.”
