Welsh pupils win first award in new Global Neighbours Cymru scheme
Pupils in Wales are celebrating after being presented with the first award in a new scheme aimed at helping young people speak out on global issues.
Wick and Marcross Church in Wales Primary School has achieved the bronze level of the Christian Aid Cymru Global Neighbours Cymru - or Cymdogion Byd-Eang - Award.
The accreditation scheme is a partnership between international development agency Christian Aid and The Church in Wales. It is open to all primary schools in Wales with three levels – Bronze, Silver and Gold – and a variety of initiatives which encourage children to think of others throughout the world.
Wick and Marcross School pupils have been exploring global issues from climate justice to poverty, and had opportunities to act on their learning both locally and in wider contexts by hosting a local food hub, establishing a school ‘Bike Bus’ route and being involved with a United World Colleges project on sustainable futures.
As part of the Creative for Climate Justice project, youngsters created artworks and shared them firstly with their community, then later in a Wales exhibition and at Westminster.
And they have been engaging with the local council, their MP, local businesses and MSs sharing their concerns and ideas for change.
Rebecca Elliott, Christian Aid Wales Youth and Education Officer, said: “We’re thrilled to be presenting our first Global Neighbours Cymru award. Wick and Marcross School was praised for its excellence in showcasing how global citizenship can be placed at the heart of a small, rural school, transforming it to a beacon of faith, celebration and action.”
Headteacher Ceri Thomas said everyone was delighted to have their work recognised. She added: “We are so very proud of each member of our school community. Every area of the school’s work - leadership, teaching and learning, collective worship, spiritual development, pupil participation and community engagement - was independently assessed. It was great to be recognised for the work we’ve undertaken to raise awareness of the extreme inequalities across our globe and, perhaps more importantly, the steps we can take to address these. The pupils regularly learn about global issues and gain an understanding of injustice in our world. More importantly, as Christians, they confidently take action as global citizens to create a fairer world. It was an added bonus for everyone here in Wick to be the first school in Wales to achieve this award.”
Right Revd Mary Stallard, Bishop of Llandaff said this was a special moment, adding: “I am so proud of their achievement and it is wonderful that they are leading the way on this in Wales. This Global Neighbours Cymru Bronze award celebrates tangible and crucial action on the injustice of global poverty and the core values of dignity, equality, justice and love in the in the life of the school."
The 'Global Neighbours Cymru' schools accreditation scheme aims to increase Welsh learners' understanding of the root causes of poverty and injustice, and to engage and empower pupils as agents of change in the transformation of our world. As well as learning about issues such as global poverty, it encompasses taking actions locally like litter picking, clothes swaps, engaging with local businesses about single use plastic, and inviting community leaders to make a difference too. Supporting the Curriculum for Wales, the scheme encourages learners to explore how influences, decisions and actions impact on us and on others, now and for future generations.
For more information and to sign up please visit About Global Neighbours Cymru Scheme | Christian Aid.