Pupils from Dorset and Wiltshire end the school year by shining a green spotlight on the environment
Over 150 pupils from comprehensive, secondary and independent schools in south and north Dorset and Wiltshire have rounded off their final year at school by attending a special Green Conference organised by pupils at Bryanston, near Blandford. With guest speakers including renowned environmental campaigners Julia Hailes MBE and Professor John Elkington, the event featured presentations, panel discussions and a series of mentor-led workshops focussing on environmental awareness, sustainability and regeneration.
The 2022 Green Conference was organised by Bryanston sixth formers Emily Shaw and Bella Harrison, who are co-chairs of the school’s Green Committee, and was held in the Elder Concert Hall at Bryanston. Pupils from Poole Grammar, The Gryphon School in Sherborne, The Blandford School, Sturminster Newton High School, Lytchett Minster School and Sarum Academy in Salisbury attended the two-day event. It culminated with a business challenge for mixed teams from the different schools to come up with a new sustainable product and then to pitch their idea to a judging panel of experts and fellow pupils.
“Although we held an online conference last year, it has always been our objective to get everyone together for a more inclusive and interactive experience,” says 18-year-old Emily Shaw. “We’re delighted that so many of our peers from schools all over the region were able to join us on the day. It really was an inspiring and thought-provoking couple of days where we could all share our ideas and thoughts and gain insight from respected figures from industry and the sustainability lobby. Our generation is passionate about helping to protect our planet and to establish a more sustainable future, and such enthusiasm and commitment was clear to see at the Conference. We very much hope this will now become an annual event for future pupils from schools all over the region before they start their careers or begin their university education.”
The Conference focused on a series of questions – What should society be doing to address the sustainability issue? What should we be doing as individuals? And, what should schools be doing to help create a more sustainable future? In addition to Julia Hailes and Professor John Elkington, the experience of experts including Monty Bryant, Connor Bryant, Kate Howells, Giles Davies, Nick Radford and Andy Fale was available to pupils attending the Conference and workshops. The winning idea in the business challenge was deceptively simple – to impregnate the cardboard inside toilet rolls with wild flower seeds. Other ideas included the use of miniature turbines to create electricity when flushing the toilet or from flowing water in drainpipes and the use of an app to incentivise the use of more eco-friendly travel options.
Richard Calver, a teacher of Classics at Bryanston and a facilitator on the school’s pupil-led Green Committee, says the Conference was a great success and a credit to all of the pupils involved. “It really is hugely encouraging to see the next generation taking the renewables and sustainability challenge so seriously. The high attendance at the Conference shows that energy and determination to make a difference are not in short supply and it was clear that the encouragement provided by the guest speakers and industry experts was a real catalyst for sparking wonderfully original ideas and thoughts.”
Julia Hailes MBE co-founded the environmental think-tank, SustainAbility, and was elected to the UN Global 500 Roll of Honour for outstanding environmental achievement. She is a highly respected adviser and commentator and has written many books on the subject of sustainability including, as co-author with Professor John Elkington, The Green Consumer Guide. Professor John Elkington, a former pupil of Bryanston, is one of the founders of the global sustainability movement and is an authority on corporate responsibility and sustainable development. He has written and co-authored over 20 books, is an energetic blogger and has spoken at countless global conferences and events, including the World Economic Forum in Davos and Dalian, China.
25.07.22