Eco-Coordinator of the Year: Jennifer Sharkey, Principal Teacher Our Lady & St Patrick's High School

Jennifer Sharkey is a Principal Teacher of development at Our Lady and St Patrick's High School and is coordinator of Eco-Schools and Learning for Sustainability. Her efforts and determination to bring about positive change and to support young people to engage directly in their local environments and communities is commendable.  Her commitment to St Patrick's Eco team has been instrumental in raising the profile of this aspect of the life of the school and in securing their second Green Flag Award.  She has also supported staff to play their part by delivering whole school input and engaging partners from Education Scotland for the whole school agenda of Learning for Sustainability.

Climate Action Project of the Year: Georgetown Primary School

P5 at Georgetown had a visit from Marie from ReDress Scotland who spoke to pupils about the dangers of Fast Fashion and its impact on our environment.  Pupils were so inspired that they asked to find out more and spread awareness to their community.  

The class explored Global Goals 12 and 13 to find out where materials come from and how they are made. They learned all about transport costs and how workers can be paid an unfair wage. Pupils felt so strongly that something needs to be done about the impact of fast fashion that they wrote to local MP David Mundell and MSP Lorna Slater. They were delighted to get a response from both and excited that their voice had been heard!

Pupils and staff donated clothing and organised a Fast Fashion show.  Some pupils created their own outfits out of old clothing to model on the catwalk. Some pupils worked on posters on fast fashion and what can be done about it. Some pupils created a video all about fast fashion. They then invited the school community to watch the fashion show and spread their important message. 

Eco-Committee of the Year: Fishermoss School

At Fishermoss School all pupils and staff are members of the Eco-Committee and are known as Global Warriors. This means their Eco-Committee has nearly 300 members!  Being a Global Warrior at Fishermoss School is about knowing and understanding our world and having the right values, knowledge and skills to make the world a better place. It is about positive relationships and building safe, happy and healthy communities. These meetings allow for breakout discussion and bring together class ideas to decide on the most effective ways to bring about change and improvements to the school, our environment, our community and beyond. Class representatives often take on the role of the spokesperson to share class discussions and views through TEAMs.