Published at 13:12, Thursday, 06 November 2008

EGALITARIAN minded students have succeeded in a determined bid to win Fairtrade School status for Hexham’s Queen Elizabeth High.

Status conscious: From the left, Huw Oliver, Rivka Benjamin, Stephanie Wassell and Penny Gardner with the school’s Fairtrade certificate.

Awarded by the Fairtrade Foundation, the status was dependent on the students achieving five targets.

First, they had to set up a steering group, comprising students, teachers, governors and members of the local community, and then draw up a school policy.

They then arranged for the sale of Fairtrade products in the school’s canteen, in its catering department restaurant and during meetings.

And finally, they organised a series of events in the name of Fairtrade – including a meal made using its products – and publicised the movement’s issues through class discussions and assemblies.

Huw Oliver, Rivka Benjamin, Stephanie Wassell and Penny Gardner, who number among the steering group’s members, said they were pleased with the support they had received generally, and proud to have gained the coveted Fairtrade status.

Their work continues, however. They are now helping other schools work towards the same goal, and the Hexham Town Fairtrade Group achieve the status for the town itself.

Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk