Success in the Making

Critically acclaimed children’s author Saci Lloyd (The Carbon Diaries) joined the eco-activists of the future at Stoke Newington Town Hall last night, at the Hackney Schools Green Heroes Awards.

The Green Heroes Awards recognise the achievements of pupils, parents and staff in making their schools greener and more sustainable. Around 100 children and adults were recognised at last night’s ceremony, for a huge range of sustainability projects – including energy saving, recycling, composting, gardening and sustainable transport projects.

Introducing the event, host Nicola Baboneau said: ‘We may live in what people think of as the urban jungle – buildings, cars and people at every turn. But a visit to some of our schools in Hackney reveals a different picture – of beautifully tended kitchen gardens, raised beds and havens for wildlife; and of staff and young people actively leading the way to a greener, more sustainable future.’

In an inspirational speech, author Saci Lloyd encouraged all those present to continue with their sustainability work, even if at times it was hard: “The future is directly affected by what we do today … You make me strong, and if you make me strong then you make others strong. This is a great movement we’re in. You are pioneers.”

The Speaker of Hackney, Cllr Susan Fajana-Thomas was also at the event to present awards.

The Learning Trust’s Sustainable Schools Officer, Rob Sambrooks, organised the awards. He said: “Our pupils are brilliant. They’re so passionate and dedicated in their environmental work, and their enthusiasm is infectious. They inspire the people around them.

“I also want to thank all the staff who go above and beyond to make a difference in schools every day. There’s so much good practice in Hackney schools, and it doesn’t always get noticed. I’m really glad we can have a night like this once a year and recognise the incredible work they do.”

The ‘Primary Green Team’ award went to Grasmere School’s ‘eco-guardians’. Team members Sebastian Carandini (pictured), Anna King, Celia Hobbs (pictured) and Lily McKay recycle materials from each classroom, water the plant and vegetable beds, turn out unnecessary lights and adjust thermometer valves downwards on warmer days, all in their own time. They all cycle to school. They also pick the school’s organic vegetables for the kitchen and distribute free fruit and milk to infants.

Sebastian, 10, said: “I really enjoyed being part of the recycling team. We made a big difference in school.”

Celia, also 10, explained: “We were given the responsibility for measuring how much electricity we were using and we even reminded teachers to turn out the lights each day.”

Our Lady’s Convent High School won the ‘Secondary Green Team‘ award. Team member Victoria Chris said: “We were really pleased to have won the secondary school section because we are currently a split site and the judges were really impressed.  I enjoy recycling and helping to make a difference to the environment.”

Surjit Vohra, a science teacher from The Urswick School, won the Lifetime Achievement Award. Described by colleagues as a ‘pioneer of the ecological movement’, Surjit has been working on environmental projects in Hackney for over 20 years. Her work started with litter pick-ups with just 7 or 8 pupils, at the former Kingsland School. Since then she has run gardening clubs, recycling programmes and ‘Green Action Teams’, and has helped to plant thousands of bulbs and plants all over the borough. Her efforts at Urswick have resulted in the school being awarded its fifth ‘green flag’ earlier this year.