REDDITCH’S Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic First School has won a LiveSimply award for the work it has done towards living simply, sustainably and in solidarity with the world’s poorest communities.
The award, championed by overseas development charity CAFOD, was presented to the school after it successfully planned and implemented faith-inspired actions highlighting the importance of caring for people and the planet over the last three years.
Their actions have had a positive impact throughout the school, in their community, and globally too, as they reached out to make a difference.
The school’s LiveSimply journey has included developing sustainability areas across the school, growing their own fruits and vegetables, responding actively to the needs of the local and global community through the exploration of recycling, climate change, poverty, Fair Trade and the refugee crisis.
The children identified and created fundraising opportunities to support those in need. Among the activities were the creation of a prayer garden after a design competition was held for the whole school.
Key Stage Two children participated in ‘Try Something New’ sessions which will include a sustainability project involving the children reusing, recycling and restoring areas in need around the school.
The youngsters planned, cleared and brought to fruition a sustainable area outside the Year Three classroom.
Planting pods using recycled materials, such as tyres, pallets and wooden items, were created and wild flowers were planted and bird boxes created to encourage wildlife.
The school’s Eco Warriors carried out litter picks in the area around school and that, and other activities, led to Our Lady of Mount Carmel achieving an Eco-Schools Green Flag.
For the living in solidarity with the poor section, the children supported the Batchley Support Group foodbank by donating food and toiletry items during Advent and harvest time.
And the children carried out Lenten fundraising for the Bromsgrove-based Basement Project and Batchley Support Group.
The school also donated food, toleteries and bedding to Ukrainian refugees.
The Key Stage 2 chaplaincy team, which represented Our Lady of Mount Carmel, said “Working towards the LiveSimply Award has helped us to look after our planet and all of the people in it.”
Headteacher Michelle Woods said: “I am so proud of all the children, staff and wider school community who have fully embraced our LiveSimply journey and will continue to do so.”
CAFOD’s LiveSimply coordinator forsSchools, Siobhan Farnell, said: “Congratulations to the pupils and staff on achieving the LiveSimply Award.
“Their actions are wonderful examples of caring for others and our common home and we wish them well as they continue to live simply, sustainably and in solidarity.”
