SOLIHULL schoolchildren were congratulated by the borough mayor on Friday (October 18) as he presented the Greener Schools Awards.
Mayor of Solihull Councillor Stuart Davies joined the pupils to share ideas about the environment. They took part in workshops to talk about technologies, low-cost energy efficiency measures and the schools’ energy engagement programmes.
Students from Solihull primary, secondary and special schools were joined by local Business Champions who have been supporting the schools and the awards across the borough.
Coun Stuart Davies, mayor of Solihull, said: “By encouraging pupils to participate in sustainable travel, recycling and reducing waste initiatives, you are ensuring that young people across Solihull are united behind a worthwhile cause that can change their futures for the better. To all of the schools that embedded sustainability in their curriculum, all the teachers that have given their time to help pupils engage with the climate emergency and all of the businesses that supported their efforts – thank you for making a real difference.”
Schools have worked towards Solihull Greener Schools Awards to develop a sense of pride in the school’s sustainability activities and to encourage further activities through highlighting positive stories and role models.
Solihull Council added: “The awards have three levels ranging from Level 1 which is given when a team of pupils help to raise awareness and improve their school environment, to Level 3 which is given when the whole school introduces the internationally agreed Global Goals and finds links to the curriculum. The Global Goals initiative is a target of 17 goals for a better world by 2030 which were agreed by world leaders in 2015 with the intention of governments, businesses, civil society and the general public working together to build a better future for everyone.”
Solihull Business Champions presented awards to schools:
Robert Elliot from Hogarths presented a Level 1 award to Widney Junior School and Level 3 awards to Monkspath Junior and Infant School, St Patrick’s C.E Primary Academy and Sharmans Cross Junior School.
Katie Williams from Fieldfisher presented Level 3 awards to Haslucks Green Junior School and Burman Infant School.
David Murphy from Telephone Europe presented a Level 3 award to Balsall Common Primary School.
Andy Holding from Birmingham Airport presented a Level 3 award to Fordbridge Community Primary School.
Liz Allister from Birmingham Business Park presented a Level 2 award to Merstone School.
The schools were also presented with Owl trophies, hand crafted by the Community Gardening Services project in Chelmsley Wood. The project gives people with learning disabilities and mental health problems opportunities to carry out gardening and maintenance tasks.
