Fairtrade in Lockerbie Academy

August 2008

It has been decided to establish Lockerbie Academy as a Fairtrade school. A steering group was set up and consists of staff and pupils. At the first meeting a suggested policy was drafted and a calendar of events drawn up. It will also promote the use of Fairtrade goods and how knowledge of Fairtrade will be promoted in lessons and assemblies. Fairtrade supports lots of initiatives such as Eco schools, Citizenship, Healthy schools and Determined to Succeed.

Action Plan for Fairtrade

	To set up a steering group for Staff and one for pupils
	This was done and we have 16 staff members and 14 pupil members
	Have a meeting of each group once per term
	To write a whole school Fairtrade policy
	This has been prepared but has yet to be signed.
	To commit our school to sell, promote and use Fairtrade products.
	Have a tuck shop for staff and pupils
	Teachers buying Fairtrade products
	Teachers to use Fairtrade tea and coffee in the staffroom
	Our school learns about Fairtrade issues
	This was first promoted on the South African Day in July 2008
	Pupils learned about Fairtrade in ICT
	Aim is to promote Fairtrade during the Fairtrade fortnight in class lessons
	Design an audit and questionnaire for to be completed by a number of pupils and staff in the school.
	Publicise what takes place regarding Fairtrade on the school tannoy, in the local newspaper and in the Parents’ Newsletter as well as having a page on the School website
	It was suggested that Lockerbie Academy become a Fairtrade School last summer. So the first thing that happened was a Fairtrade steering committee was formed one for staff and one for pupils.
	There are around 14 staff and at least 8 pupils involved. We have met 3 times and have carried out quite a few activities and highlighted Fairtrade in a number of ways.

South African Day

The first time Fairtrade was raised was during the South African Day in July 2008 where pupils in ICT were informed and took part in lessons where they researched the internet and produced PowerPoints of their ideas.

Tuck Shop

Pupils have been introduced to Fairtrade products which include geobars and a variety of chocolate. The most popular is white chocolate with strawberries for the teachers and dubble bars for the pupils. Although all chocolate is bought up quickly it is looked upon as a treat.

This has been very popular with both teachers and pupils. The teachers also order Fairtrade goods and a member of staff organises that and distributes it to anyone who has ordered the goods. This has included Christmas presents, tea, coffee and chocolate.

Fairtrade Chocolate was sold on Thursday 4 March and was again successful.

Visit of Cornelius Lynch – Banana Farmer from Windward Islands

When this visit was originally mentioned both Mrs Mitchell and Miss Harley were delighted as this was an area of the curriculum which is covered in Standard Grade Geography. Pupils will get the chance to ask questions and see a presentation by Mr Lynch on Friday 6 March, Period 1. This visit was coordinated with the local Dumfries Fairtrade Group.

Yellow Day

An idea of the pupils, this was decided that instead of eating bananas pupils would wear something yellow on Friday 6 March. Mrs Donnelly in the Art Department is going to buy some Fairtrade Bananas and take a photograph of one of her classes with smiling banana faces.

Pupils had to pay £1 to wear yellow. There were many shades of yellow. This was to highlight that Bananas were the theme of this year’s Fairtrade fortnight.

In the canteen Mrs Beck had Banana soup and banoffee pie, which was enjoyed by staff and pupils alike.

It has been decided that the money raised £750 would be shared between school funds and also charities nominated by staff and pupils.

The amount was split between 3 charities chosen by the pupils. These were Headway House, Marie Curie Cancer and the Lorna Young Foundation.

Thought for the Day

During Fairtrade fortnight (23 February – 8 March, 2009), every morning one of the senior pupils has read a thought for the day over the tannoy, which were provided by some members of staff and pupils from the Steering group. Mrs Langlands in the library has also included Fairtrade in her thought for the week.

Quiz

Tom McMinn designed a big Fairtrade quiz and it was answered by all pupils who attended Business Education classes on Friday 6 March. This was completed by a large number of pupils from S1-S6

Survey Monkey

Annemarie Mooney prepared a survey using Survey Monkey and a cross section of pupils was asked to complete it. This gave the school an idea of how familiar pupils and staff were regarding Fairtrade.

Lessons

Business Education

In Business Education pupils in S1 and S2 designed posters and business cards. These were highlighting Fairtrade as well as advertising the events which were taking place throughout Fairtrade Fortnight.

Art

In Art pupils designed a new logo for Fairtrade. There were prizes for the best 5. These were judged by S5 pupils and Staff from Business Education. It was very difficult to make a decision as they were all so imaginative.

Dryfe House Assembly

In October 2008, Dryfe House Assembly chose Fairtrade as their theme. There were quizzes, a PowerPoint presentation and tasting sessions. Pupils were asked to taste the difference between Fairtrade coffee, tea, biscuits and chocolate. Many couldn’t tell the difference. Fairtrade chocolate made by Divine was given as prizes.

Finance and Enterprise Group Activity

During the last week of term the S3 Finance and Enterprise class organised the purchase and sale of Dubble bars as an Enterprise Activity. All 144 bars were sold at interval and lunchtime on 29 June.

Ideas Meeting

On 16 September there was a lunchtime meeting with Senior Pupils and House Captains to discuss this year’s plans and events. One of the suggestions was how to interest younger pupils to become part of the Fairtrade Committee.

Forthcoming Events

On 24 September 2009, the Largest Coffee Morning where Tea and Coffee served will be Fairtrade.

On 24 September 2009 there will be the first meeting of Staff to discuss the plans for the year ahead.

On 9 October there will be a Tuck Shop where pupils will sell a selection of chocolate.