Judgemeadow Students Lead the Charge on Climate Action at Lionheart Trust’s Eco Rally

On Tuesday, June 25th, pupils from Judgemeadow Community College joined forces with peers from other schools within the Lionheart Educational Trust at the Cedars Academy for the highly anticipated Eco Rally. This event, part of the Trust’s innovative ‘Global Issues’ curriculum, aimed to empower young minds to take a stand on climate change and sustainability.

Running from 10.00am to 2.00pm, the Eco Rally brought together pupils from each school within the Trust, united by a common goal: to address the pressing issue of climate change.

The event featured a vibrant array of activities designed to educate, inspire, and mobilize students.

Shital Mistry, science teacher and Eco Club leader at Judgemeadow, explained the significance of the Global Issues curriculum. “It’s there to enable students to understand the issues that will affect them both now and, in the future”.   In lessons real-world issues have been integrated into everyday teaching.  She emphasized the impact on students, noting that participating in the Eco Club raises their confidence and excitement about global issues, giving them a voice in the school.

She hopes that students will learn from other schools and bring those ideas back to Judgemeadow Community College, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.

Dilan Savjani, Judgemeadow’s Director of Personal Development, highlighted the alignment of the Eco Rally with the school’s goals. “This day is all about allowing students to have their voice and be heard and teaching them how to use their voices respectfully,” Dilan explained. Events like the Eco Rally play a crucial role in fostering a sense of community and activism, enabling students to network with peers from other Lionheart schools and share their views effectively and respectfully.

The long-term benefits of the Global Issues curriculum are profound. ‘The main point is to teach students how to make positive changes. In the long term, when they’ve left school, they will have the skills they need to succeed and make a difference in the world,’ Savjani noted.

Pupils from Judgemeadow’s Eco Club shared their experiences and motivations. Ayaan recounted how joining the club made him more aware of global warming and environmental issues. He was particularly proud of a project encouraging students to bike to school, which to his surprise was quite successful.  Mahinoor emphasized the sense of responsibility the Eco Club instils, inspiring her to advocate for animals, plants and the environment.

The pupils’ engagement and enthusiasm were evident throughout the day. Mahinoor recalled a memorable project, “The most fun project we did was decorating recycle bins with themes like ‘under the sea’ to encourage recycling. We placed them around the school to promote their use.”

Ayaan shared his excitement about litter-picking, both around the school and at Evington Park, having almost filled 10 bags of litter, and winning the competition amongst Eco Club members.

Both students stressed the importance of conveying strong messages through their placards and letters to political leaders. Ayaan implored, “Please, please, please put your litter in the bin. The environment is going crazy with global warming increasing. Don’t make it worse for future generations.” Mahinoor highlighted the importance of sustainability, “It’s up to us and future generations to build a better world. Using fossil fuels does not help create a sustainable future. We need to make positive changes for our planet.”

The pupils believe that events like the Eco Rally can significantly influence their peers and the broader community. “At first, it might seem boring, but once you spend time walking around and participating, you see how fun and enjoyable it is,” Ayaan explained.  Mahinoor added that fun activities draw people in, stating, “It’s great to see that you are part of something bigger than just what’s in your school. You get to meet other people and think about the impact all of us can have on the environment.”

As the day concluded, it was clear that the Lionheart Educational Trust’s Eco Rally was more than just an event; it was a powerful call to action, exemplifying how education and activism can converge to address one of the most critical issues of our time. The enthusiasm and dedication of the students underscored the pivotal role of educational institutions in nurturing future leaders who are both informed and passionate about making a difference in the world.