Raising awareness of environmental issues and getting pupils thinking about ways to help repair the planet are important elements within our Geography programme at Canford, and extending this to junior schools supports this aim. As part of this, each year pupils from Year 5 and 6 from schools across the region are invited to take part in Canford’s Junior Earthshot Prize. It’s a perfect opportunity for young people to have their say about issues such as plastics in our oceans, climate change, the loss of animal species and habitats, and recycling.
The Canford competition is based on the annual International Earthshot Prize which gives awards to organisations and groups that are trying to find sustainable solutions to the problems facing the planet today. Launched by David Attenborough and Prince William, winners are awarded £1 million to help support their projects. Pupils are asked to select from the finalist entries in the international competition and discuss why they would choose them as the winner.
We received a record number of entries this year, with an amazing array of submissions using posters, presentations, videos and graphics. All entrants deserve congratulations on their excellent and thoughtful work.
Alex Boulton, Head of Geography at Canford who founded the Canford competition, said;
We believe passionately that young people hold the key to repairing the planet and addressing today's big issues in a sustainable way. We have been running our version of the competition for four years and each time I am heartened by the passion, care and ingenious ideas the children have.
The year 5 winner was a wonderful video where Henrietta from Salisbury Cathedral School spoke very powerfully in support of Natural Fibre Welding - a scheme that hopes to replace plastic products with natural fibres. She discussed how her own life contained lots of plastic and the judges felt that this was so important in showing that we all have a responsibility.
Year 6 saw an innovative poster design in support of the Amazon Sacred Headwaters Alliance. The innovative presentation style was felt to really attract the attention of a reader and once again showed how young people can do their bit.
The most popular scheme supported by entrants was Coast 4C in the Revive our Oceans category.
The winners were:
Year 6
Winner: Charlie F from Castle Court School
Runner up: Sami F from Eaton House The Manor
Highly commended:
Isabella S from Hanford School
Louis W from Sherborne Preparatory School
Clemmie D and Jonty W from Twyford School
Heidi B from Twyford School
Year 5
Winner: Henrietta M from Salisbury Cathedral School
Runner up: Rohan S from Eaton House The Manor
Highly commended:
Danyaal Q from Eaton House The Manor
Alex C from Twyford School
Winners were awarded vouchers for the World Wildlife Fund and all entrants received a certificate.
Canford invited schools across the region to take part in the competition and welcome new entrants from further afield in the future. If you are a school with Year 5 and 6 pupils and would like to be involved, please do get in touch at: events@canford.com
Photo credits:
Year 5 Winner - Henrietta M from Salisbury Cathedral School
Year 6 Highly Commended - Louis W from Sherborne Preparatory School