Bright Sparks Awarded at Lancashire Schools' Awards
More than 100 pupils and teachers arrived at Mytton Fold Hotel in Whalley this week (18th July) for the It's Our Planet Awards 2011. Primary and secondary schools from across Lancashire attended the glittering Awards Ceremony, complete with a two course meal and a guest appearance by scientists from the ‘Flash Bang Science' mobile laboratory.The Awards, which were introduced for the first time last year, highlight the growing importance of green issues in schools and demonstrates the commitment of children and young people to environmental improvements in their schools. Twin Valley Homes were headline sponsors for the event whilst Mytton Fold Hotel and Golf Complex provided the venue and meal free of charge to show their support.
The annual event is run by environmental charity Groundwork Pennine Lancashire and was also sponsored by Neales Waste Management, education technology specialists Promethean, textile manufacturer Herbert Parkinson and Lucite International, an acrylic manufacturer based in Blackburn. The Awards were established last year to provide schools in Lancashire with recognition of their achievements in categories ranging from sustainable travel and school ground improvements to carbon footprint reduction and global awareness.
The winners were:
Global Citizenship Award - Euxton St. Mary's, Chorley
Bright Sparks Energy Efficiency Award - Little Digmoor Primary School, Skelmersdale
Sustainable Travel Award - Barrowford Primary School, Nelson
Waste Savers Award - Astley Park School, Chorley
Green Fingers Award - St. Teresa's CP Primary School, Skelmersdale
Green Building Award - St. Christopher's CE High School, Accrington
Eco-supporter Award for Teachers -Susan Hasler-Cregg, St. Mary's CE Primary School, Pendle
Eco-supporter Award for Pupils - The Eco Group at Pilling St. John's, Preston
Environmental Innovation - Hawes Side Primary School, Blackpool
Green Primary School - The Eco Group at Pilling St. John's, Preston
Green Secondary School - Astley Park School, Chorley
"The awards ceremony was fantastic - the young people had such a great time, and to be nominated for three awards, and win two, was a wonderful and well deserved recognition of the hard work and dedication of our staff and young people," said Kieran Walsh, Headteacher at Astley Park School in Chorley. "It was wonderful to see so many young people and local business taking such a proactive role in making our planet cleaner and greener for everyone."
"It's so refreshing to see pupils rewarded directly for all the sustainable work they do in schools," said Wendy Litherland, a teacher at St. Christopher's CE High School in Accrington. "Much goes by unnoticed by the masses, but this celebration by Groundwork Pennine Lancashire, empowers young people to see that their small changes are important and can have a positive effect on adults as well as the environment."
21 July 2011, Lancashire
