Pupils celebrate Earth Day at Cawston Church

Primary school students from seventeen Norfolk church schools gathered last month to celebrate Earth day in Cawston Parish Church.

Earth Day was marked in inspiring style on Wednesday 22 April, when church schools from across Norfolk gathered at St Agnes’ Parish Church for a day dedicated to creation care, climate action and community collaboration. All participating schools are currently working towards the Keep Britain Tidy Green Flag Award, exploring what it means to take responsibility for the environment in practical and meaningful ways.
 
Now in its fifty-sixth year, Earth Day continues to grow in global significance. The date carries weight following the signing of the Paris Agreement on 22 April 2016, a landmark moment in international climate action. Organisers emphasised the importance of engaging children in this annual event, nurturing the creativity, courage and determination needed to face the climate crisis with hope.
 
The Diocese of Norwich designed the day to bring schools and local businesses together, highlighting opportunities for a zero-carbon future. Proceedings opened with a welcome video from the Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham Usher, who is the Church of England’s Environmental Lead. In it, he praised the commitment shown by pupils and staff. Children were then addressed via video link by Francis Hyland from Keep Britain Tidy, who shared statistics, encouragement and insights into the ten key areas of the Green Flag programme, including Biodiversity, Energy, Litter, Marine and Waste.
 
Reverend Whitehead led collective worship before pupils divided into six groups to take part in a rotation of hands-on workshops. These included climate-focused tree and soil investigations with energy company RWE, a minibeast hunt with Norfolk Wildlife Trust, rainwater modelling with Anglian Water, recycled art with Scrapbox, climate science with Carbon Net Zero, and a Green Skills careers session with the Green Schools Project.
 
A grant from RWE enabled the provision of notebooks, pens, transport, facilities and refreshments. Each school also received a signed copy of Hidden Planet by natural history illustrator Ben Rothery, along with washing tabs donated by SMOL.
 
This story is based on an article by Sharon Brett, Schools Environmental Advisor, on the Diocese of Norwich website, where a list of the participating schools and more pictures can be found.
 
The photo above is courtesy of Jason Mawe Photography Ltd

Do you have a news story or forthcoming event relating to Christians or a church in North Norfolk?  

If so, e-mail tony.rothe@networknorwich.co.uk with details and, if possible a suitable picture.