27/3/2008

Local News

Green day is a sustainable hit

FAIR TRADE STALL: Oak Farm students get stuck into some Fairtrade treats – from left, Michael Mancini, Sophie Cannon, Alex Godfrey, Mary Jane Money

PUPILS from a Farnborough school took a hands-on approach to learning about sustainability and ethical issues during a special Green Day recently.
Year 9 pupils from Oak Farm Community School, on Ballantyne Road, enjoyed a day of ‘green’ activities on Wednesday, March 12, whilst learning about ethical issues.
Jointly organised by Rushmoor Borough Council and the First Partnership, the day saw pupils clearing hedges and coppicing, and studying wildlife at Cove Brook.
They also ran their own Fairtrade café, selling treats they had made themselves with Fairtrade ingredients.
The event even attracted the attention of a neighbouring school, with 50 Year 1 children from Cherrywood Primary School, on Mayfield Road, stopping by for an hour to hear a presentation about Fairtrade and tuck into treats from the café.
Jo Moore, Assistant Head of Oak Farm Community School, said it was the best day the school had ever had.
She said: “It went brilliantly and the pupils learned so much about all sorts of green issues, including recycling and the environment.
“We now plan to make our Green Day an annual event.”
The Fairtrade cafe raised £55 for one of the school’s charities, the NSPCC.
The school is now working with Rushmoor Borough Council to become one of the borough’s first Fairtrade schools.
Les Murrell, Strategy Co-ordinator (Sustainability) at Rushmoor Borough Council added: “The council was delighted to work with First Partnership and Oak Farm School on this project. 
“The young people we met were very enthusiastic about the environment and all recognised the things they can do to help.”
For more information about the First Partnership, visit www.firstpartnership.com