Spring term Sixth Form action highlights

A roundup of just some of the Sixth Form action from across the UK. For a copy of P&P's Spring term “Network Update” newsletter, email caroline@peopleandplanet.org

MEREWAY STUDENTS PUT PRESSURE ON KRAFT

At Mereway School in Northampton the People & Planet group have thought of lots of different ways get more than 75 Kraft postcards signed. They have:

• Handed them out in the Sixth Form common room
• Handed them out in classes
• Been to each teacher and the Head asking them to sign the card
• Put cards in the staff room.

Tina Kingston, a student in the group, explains their future plans: “we are currently trying to organise a Fairtrade coffee evening, also we are hoping to do an assembly on Fairtrade.”

BALCARRAS CELEBRATE VALENTINES FAIRTRADE-STYLE

Balcarras School Sixth Form People & Planet group in Cheltenham (pictured) celebrated Valentine´s Day in a rather unusual way: “We had a very successful Valentine’s Day cake and chocolate sale. We printed t-shirts that said ‘Love Fairtrade’ on the front and a letter on the back, which, when put together, made the phrase ‘make trade fair’. At lunch we sold homemade cakes and biscuits made from Fairtrade chocolate with a Valentines theme” Fairtrade recipes are available from: www.fairtrade.org.uk/recipes.htm

COTHAM TAKE ON THEIR CATERING COMPANY

The People & Planet group at Cotham School in Bristol hit upon a problem when they tried to start a Fairtrade Café. The school canteen is run by a company called Sodexho. Under their current contract with the school, only Sodexho products can be sold on site, and Sodexho have told the school they cannot supply Fairtrade goods under this contract. The good news is the school’s contract with Sodexho is due to be renegotiated this summer and the group have asked to be a part of the process. They will be asking the school to only renew the contract if Sodexho agree to supply the schools with Fairtrade products. Interestingly, Sodexho´s website claims that: “an increasing number of our contracts are using these (Fairtrade) products.” See www.sodexho.co.uk for details If the company that runs the canteen in your school or college refuses to use Fairtrade products then see page seven for ideas on how to change their mind!

PARK COLLEGE AIMS FOR A FAIRTRADE WORLD RECORD

The Agenda 21 Committee at Park College, Eastbourne have come up with a quite bananas plan to get Fairtrade bananas into the Guinness book of records. Rhian Coundley, a member of the committee, explains: “The idea is to make the longest line of Fairtrade bananas along Eastbourne seafront… We hope to get many companies involved including shops like Sainsbury’s and The Co-op, and local radio stations to promote the event. We also hope to get into the Guinness Book of Records for the longest line of bananas ever.The aim of this event is to raise awareness about Fairtrade products. It will also boost sales, as to participate you will have to have a Fairtrade banana.” The event is planned for this summer - keep your eyes peeled for a report on how it goes.

WHITBY COLLEGE SELL OUT OF FAIRTRADE

A group of students at Whitby Community College have been promoting Fairtrade Fortnight by selling Fairtrade products in their college. They said: “We have been selling Fairtrade chocolate, snack bars and drinks this week, and it’s been doing great so far! We´ve sold out of chocolate bars and … snacks. The juice is going pretty quickly too.” Let us know about your Fairtrade Fortnight event! Email: fairtrade@peopleandplanet.org

75 SCHOOLS CHOOSE FAIRTRADE SNACKS

According to New Consumer magazine, 75 schools have replaced their Nestle vending machine with The Green Machine in the past year. The Green Machine is stocked with Fairtrade and Organic snacks. To get The Green Machine in your school call Natural `N´ Organic on 0208 646 6111

BOOKS NOT BOMBS

On Wednesday 5th March, hundreds of students around the country walked out of school in protest at a possible war on Iraq. 200 students protested outside Parliament, whilst an estimated 500 gathered at Whitehall. In Birmingham 350 pupils walked out of one school. After 60 students left Fortismere School, teachers locked the gates to stop anyone else! Read more about the protest at: www.news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/2821871.stm

GET YOUR SIXTH FORM ONTO THESE PAGES!

Has your Sixth Form group put on an event for Fairtrade Fortnight? Are you crazy about the Coffee Campaign? Have you being running other campaigns to end poverty, defend human rights or protect the envrionment? Thousands of Sixth Formers around the country read these pages and they want to hear your campaigns. Email your campaign action photos & stories to: fairtrade@peopleandplanet.org