Student & Pupil Eco Conference 2024

The Pinnacle Learning Trust was proud to hold its inaugural Trust Student & Pupil Eco Conference on 24 April 2024.

Hosted by The Hathershaw College, all of our student eco groups from our 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 Hathershaw Principal, Mark Giles, providing an impassioned speech, engaging our audience and setting the stage for a productive and enjoyable day.

Our students are really passionate about our responsibility to care for the environment and exhibited a real enthusiasm for creating change. Oldham Sixth Form Pupil and Eco-Ambassador, Katie Smith led the eco pledge created and signed by all pupils and students in attendance, highlighting how we as a combined trust community can make a difference.

We are grateful to our valued partners, Churchills Cleaning Services and to SSE Energy for helping with supporting our students at our Eco Conference. Sharon Taylor from Churchills, led an engaging quiz highlighting to students and pupils how much waste we produce and how easy it is to make change.

The event closed with a combined litter pick and tree planting session, complemented with a session of planting and potting with the school's peace garden. Children planted bulbs, seedlings and saplings together, in a symbolic moment of collaboration and care for our environment. We offer our thanks to The Woodland Trust for donating the trees and shrubs, which were planted.

We are looking forward to our students and pupils sharing the days learning with their peers, inspiring and learning from each other. It is desired that the successful Eco Conference becomes the first of many annual events.

Chief Financial Officer and Trust Sustainability Group Chair, Stewart Ash said:

We really enjoyed seeing our students across all age groups, working together so enthusiastically and passionately on a range of sustainability activities. The event was a great success and we look forward to welcoming everyone back next year. Thanks to all who played their part, both on the day and in the planning stages, to deliver and facilitate such an engaging and inspiring conference.

Corrine Redmond, Churchills Cleaning Services, said:

We can't thank The Pinnacle Trust enough for allowing Churchill Group to be part of your event. It was a pleasure to see everyone come together to support the move forward to sustain a better future. It was a great success!

Katie Smith, OSFC student and Eco-Ambassador, said:

I think it is super important to work with and teach young people all about the environment and why we should protect it, so that they continue to develop that passion throughout their lives. Change starts with education and we can make more of a difference in protecting our natural world when as many people as possible are involved!