Mount Carmel hosted their annual inter-school ‘ECO Champions Day’ with over 40 pupils & staff attending from 5 local primary schools along with Mount Carmel’s own ECO Champions. The theme of the day was ‘Plastic in the Ocean’. The primary schools who attended were from St. Mary’s Oswaldtwistle, St. Mary’s R.C. Clayton-le-Moors, St. Oswald's, Sacred Heart and St. Peter's.

The pupils started the day doing a activity together after watching a video clip of plastic pollution in our oceans and hearing some facts about sea turtles and other creatures being endangered because of this. The pupils and staff all made a fish out of willow which was woven with old carrier bags. We thank Julie Livesey from Pip Cottage/Prospects for hosting a workshop prior to the Eco Champions Day, instructing Mount Carmel staff and pupils how to make the fish so we could show the visiting primary pupils.

Environmental workshops were held for the pupils; both requiring the use of their creative skills. A large pile of recycled items donated by staff from Mount Carmel was used for a 'Trash Fashion' workshop. It was amazing how the pupils used the resources available to them to create full outfits which included jewellery, hats and other accessories. The pupils also each constructed a wooden suncatcher sea turtle with painted recycled plastic for it's shell to capture the sunlight. 

A very busy day required a good hearty lunch which was served in the Twelve Star Diner. The fish fingers and sausages went down a treat, many having second helpings too!

The pupils also participated in a litter pick in the local community collecting 12 bags of rubbish in half an hour. They were all amazed how much litter, especially plastic was discarded on the streets and in gardens.

Mount Carmel teaching staff Mrs McDonnell, Mr Thompson and Mr Noon delivered the workshops and Mrs Fielding, Partnership Manager co-ordinated the day. They commented “This is the fifth time we have held the Eco Champions day and once again it has proved to be a very popular event for all who attend. The schools who attended are already undertaking lots of brilliant environmental projects within their own school communities. This day is a perfect opportunity to get together, pool ideas and share good practice. All the pupils and staff who attended are committed to improving their environment, through educating their pupils and the wider community about environmental responsibilities.”

Each school wrote a pledge stating how they intend to improve the environment and these were placed on a large sea turtle constructed of willow which will be prominently displayed at Mount Carmel.

Each pupil left with a certificate and badge proving they really are ECO Champions!

  

ECO Champions Day 2020