Schoolchildren help community “think greener”
A school in St Mellons has won awards for taking part in a climate change activism both in their school and the community.
Pupils from Oakfield Primary School - also known as the ‘Eco Warriors” - received the Bronze Eco School Award from Keep Wales Tidy for their active travel initiatives, ‘Walk to School’ weeks, and conversations on road safety.
The group has also focused on community efforts, organising litter picks, planted trees and achieved second place at the One Planet Cardiff Awards after representing the school.
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One Planet Cardiff (OPC) is Cardiff council’s response to the climate emergency. It and sets out their approach across the next decade.
It establishes targets for the council to be Carbon Neutral in its activities by 2030, and to work in partnership with stakeholders to develop a pathway for a Carbon Neutral City by 2030 too.
Thanks to a donation from the school’s Parent Teacher Association, the pupils have now invested in resources such as bird feeders, litter pickers, and binoculars to encourage wildlife observation and inspire curiosity about the natural world.
Headteacher David Harris, Headteacher said: “We are incredibly proud of our Eco Warriors and the whole school community. Their passion, creativity and commitment to sustainability has shown what our young people can achieve when they work together.
“Winning recognition for their efforts is a wonderful achievement, but the real success is the positive impact they are having, every day, on our school and our wider community.”
Cllr Sarah Merry, Cardiff council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for education said: “Oakfield Primary School is proving that even the smallest changes can make a big difference to the future of our planet. The school is helping to inspire the next generation to think greener, showing how a dedicated school community can pave the way towards a more sustainable future.”
The school is also the first in Wales to take part in a hands-on climate change initiative - ‘Our Classroom Climate’ where teacher’s lead modules on the science of climate change including extreme weather, rising sea levels and bio-diversity.
Learn more about the steps Cardiff Council is taking in response to the climate emergency, and get some useful tips on how you can take action on climate change, visit www.oneplanetcardiff.co.uk
