Hathershaw hosts second Eco Conference

The Pinnacle Learning Trust held its second annual Trust Student and Pupil Eco Conference on April 30, purposefully chosen to fall on National Food Waste Day. 

Hosted by The Hathershaw College, all of the student eco groups from the trust academies, across all age ranges, came together to share their sustainability ideas; plant trees and shrubs outside; work through mindfulness activities; listen to guest speakers; raise any concerns within their schools; and, meet staff sustainability representatives.

The day was opened by Trust Chief Executive Officer, Jayne Clarke, providing an impassioned speech and important message that education and young people are the key to start tackling climate challenges and making change.

The trust and its young people are passionate about responsibility to care for the environment and exhibited a real enthusiasm for creating change.

Oldham Sixth Form College and The Hathershaw College students helped to facilitate conversation providing peer to peer support on the day, as well as ideas of their own, proving to be great mentors to the younger participants.

Oldham Sixth Form College Assistant Principal, Lewis Entwistle, said: “It is important that today's young people feel able to have a positive effect on the environment and to understand that small changes in our behaviour can make an impact.

"It is fantastic to see young people, from different stages in education, contributing to the discussion and sharing their ideas”

Once again, the trust is grateful to its valued partner, Churchills Group, for helping with supporting the event.

Sharon Taylor, from Churchills, led an engaging quiz highlighting to students and pupils how much food waste we produce and how easy it is to make change. 

Lisa Lott, Environmental Lead for Hathershaw College, led a mindfulness session to help combat eco-anxiety and engage students and pupils to reflect inwardly on how they would like to see their future environment.

The event closed with a tree planting session, complemented with a session of scattering wild flowers and potting flowers within campus grounds.

Children planted bulbs, seedlings and saplings, together, in a symbolic moment of collaboration and care for our environment.

Staff offer thanks to The Woodland Trust for donating the trees and shrubs, which were planted.

To complement this, all involved showed care for their environment by taking part in a litter pick, an example of how little actions can promote larger change.

Ms Taylor said: “We're grateful to The Pinnacle Learning Trust for inviting us back to be part of the event.

"We really enjoyed seeing all of the young people come together to work on all of the sustainability activities, and we’re looking forward to coming back next year!”

Chief Financial Officer and Trust Sustainability Group Chair, Stewart Ash, said: “Following the success of our inaugural Student Eco Conference last year, our students and staff wanted to make the event an annual celebration.

"It’s been really uplifting and inspiring to once again see our children and young people come together to learn and work together on sustainability with such passion and innovation.

"We’ve also had wonderful weather for our tree planting and litter picking activities! 

"On behalf of our trust, I extend a heartfelt thank you to all who have contributed to organising and delivering the event, and to our students from all phases of education, for partaking so enthusiastically.”

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