Hertfordshire: Pupils hold 'environment week' based on Laudato Si'

Whole school assembly

Pupils from a Stevenage school have spent a whole week learning about protecting the environment following a Pope Francis's encyclical, Laudato Si' - On Care for our Common Home.

The children from St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary School had their usual lessons during the week of 16-20 November replaced with classes based around the Pope's encyclical letter on caring for people and the planet and tackling climate change. Teachers taught lessons ranging from recycling and water waste to holding classes outdoors collecting bugs and learning about conservation.

The pupils wrote pledges of what they would do to tackle climate change to protect things they love the most as part of CAFOD's One Climate, One World campaign. The charity says that the changing climate is pushing people in the world's poorest communities deeper into poverty.

Headteacher Mr Peter Keane said: "We have been planning a whole week focused on the Pope's letter since it was published.

"The week began with a whole school assembly and we organised a wide range of activities. Our Key Stage 1 pupils focused on recycling and saving water and even heard about saving penguins. The children in Key Stage 2 adopted different themes in their lessons, looking at CAFOD's work on water, food, and climate change".

"The children enjoyed activities outside and in nearby outdoor spaces, appreciating the beauty of God's world and the need to take care of our common home. The sessions were inspirational."

Mrs Val Hargrave, RE Subject Leader, said: "A very special highlight of the week was when our headteacher delivered to our youngest pupils a very large gold envelope containing a pretend letter from the Pope. The children were spellbound."

"It was a wonderful week and the children are buzzing with excitement about our next steps."

Visit: www.cafod.org.uk/climate for more information

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