Award-winning, pupil-led COP conference returns for a second successful year

Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust schools at its COP30 conference, Credit: HFCMAT

Source: Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust

Young people from across Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust (HFCMAT) in Wirral, Merseyside, came together last week for the Trust's COP30 conference, where they called for urgent climate action. Pupils and students from across the Trust's family of primary and secondary schools gathered at St John Plessington Catholic College, Bebington, where they spoke passionately about sustainability and educated each other on some of the most pressing issues facing the world today.

This is the second COP conference HFCMAT has held following the success of last year's event, which saw the Trust recognised on a local and international level at a variety of awards that honour young people who actively seek change within their community through sustainability and climate action.

This year's HFCMAT COP30 conference coincided with the 2025 United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference, taking place between 10 and 21 November in Brazil, where world leaders agree on the actions they must take as a collective to address the climate crisis.

At the conference, pupil representatives from six of the Trust's primary schools discussed important topics close to their heart with peers, teachers, leaders and other attendees that included staff from Chester Zoo.

Pupils from St Bernard's Catholic Primary, Ellesmere Port, spoke confidently about the importance of protecting coral reefs, whilst St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Oxton, pupils educated attendees about how to reduce plastic pollution. The children of Our Lady of Pity RC Primary School, Greasby, passionately presented a talk on the dangers of fast fashion and the pupils of St Augustine's Catholic Primary School, Runcorn, conveyed their dedication to tackling climate change through a powerful discussion titled 'Our Earth, Our Responsibility'. Pupils from St Alban's Catholic Primary School, Wallasey, also spoke about the impact food waste can have on the environment due to the emission of greenhouse gases.

Corbyn, a pupil at St Alban's, said: "At first, I was really nervous, but afterwards I really enjoyed it. It was great to help people think about what they can do to reduce their food waste and help our planet." St Augustine's pupil, Gracie, added: "My heart was racing but I put my feelings and guts in a bag and threw it away - then I was ready to go. The poem was sad because it was about how the earth is endangered but there is a way to fix it."

Students from one of the trust's secondary schools, St John Plessington Catholic College, delivered the important message that we are all 'stewards of creation', as referenced in the late Pope Francis' letter, Laudato Si'. Within the presentation, Poppy Glascott, Heidi Churchill, Leila Guthrie, Mia McCarthy and Ellie Thomas shared facts about the problems with overfishing in oceans and the changes that need to be made to tackle this, from implementing sustainable fishing practices and expanding and enforcing marine protected areas to strengthening regulations.

St John Plessington's school choir created a thoughtful and inspiring atmosphere at the conference through their performances of 'No Planet B' and 'Laudato Si'', songs that were both written and composed by students and teachers from schools across the HFCMAT. Both songs carry strong messages about caring for the planet and the shared responsibility communities carry. The choir's performance unified the audience, which also comprised parents and families.

Students from HFCMAT's other secondary school, St Mary's Catholic College, spoke about energy that is wasted within buildings, and shared top tips as to how schools could reduce this.

Reflecting on the day, Ed Boyd, education officer at Chester Zoo, who also delivered a talk about the UN's COP30 conference and the importance of youth voice, said: "It's really important that young voices are heard around important topics such as climate change and the extinction crisis. The young people involved spoke with such passion, energy and determination - it's clear they share Chester Zoo's mission of preventing extinction and creating a brighter future for wildlife."

Emily Reid, sustainability lead at HFCMAT and organiser of the event, said: "This marks our second COP event, which has been proudly supported by our incredible partners at Chester Zoo. It has been a wonderful opportunity for our young people to apply what they are learning in school and use their voices to inspire real change. Every child who spoke did so with passion and conviction, encouraging the audience to make small, meaningful changes that can have a big impact. At HFCMAT, we are committed to empowering our students to become confident advocates for a more sustainable future."

CEO of HFCMAT, Andy Moor, added: "It's been fantastic to see so many pupils and students from across our Trust unite in their dedication to making positive changes through sustainability and climate. Their creativity, passion and sense of responsibility gives real hope for the future and shows how faith and action can come together to care for our common home."

LINK

https://hfcmat.com/