Morpeth school awarded for sustainability

Picture by Kate Buckingham

From litter picks and bug hotels to charity work and a Climate Justice Campaign, caring pupils at a school in Morpeth, Northumberland, showed they were worthy recipients of a prestigious award from the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD).

St Robert's Catholic First School received the CAFOD Live Simply Award in recognition of its pioneering work in living 'sustainably with creation' and 'in solidarity with people living in poverty'.

All year groups at the school, which is a member of the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust, were involved in the initiative, which saw the children take part in the CAFOD Big Lent Walk and stage their own Climate Justice Campaign exhibition, as well as mark Refugee Week.

The pupils were also active in the community, holding a litter pick, and supporting a foodbank in the area; while, at school, they organised a 'pre-loved' book swap, created a Prayer Garden, introduced bird and bat boxes, and constructed bug hotels.

The school's 'Mini Vinnies' campaigners oversaw the 18-month project, with the support of Year 1 Teacher and Mini Vinnies Coordinator Alice Butler.

"We completed some of the requirements as a whole school, and others were completed by Mini Vinnies or individual classes," she said.

"The project involved the whole school. It took a lot of effort and a real commitment to achieve this. We are all working towards becoming more sustainable as a school, and this project made that goal high profile.

"Our Climate Justice project is linked to this award, as we wanted to continue to keep the themes of Live Simply high profile in school."

The school's success has also inspired the neighbouring community.

Mrs Butler added: "Our parish is now working towards their Live Simply Award, and we are able to work with them and support them, having done it ourselves.

"It is a great achievement for the school. It took a lot of effort and a real commitment to achieve this."

LINKS

Find out more about the LiveSimply award for schools:
https://cafod.org.uk/campaign/livesimply-award/livesimply-award-for-schools

St Robert's Catholic First School, Morpeth, Northumberland
www.st-roberts.northumberland.sch.uk/