Oasis Academy Putney is proud to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our pupils in the ‘Eco Reading Challenge,’ a unique initiative designed to promote climate action and sustainability through the power of reading. This programme, developed in collaboration with The Scrubbery and Putney High School, offered our students a wide range of enriching experiences, culminating in a memorable awards ceremony at the academy in July.
The awards ceremony was graced by the presence of Deputy Mayor, Councillor Finna Ayres, who commended our pupils for their exceptional efforts in advocating for a sustainable future. The Eco Reading Challenge was not only a collaborative effort with Putney High School GDST but was also generously supported by HSBC and the GDST Partnership Funding.
Launched in December, the programme provided our pupils with invaluable opportunities, including workshops on sustainability at the Natural History Museum, engaging book club sessions focused on the cli-fi novel City of Rust, and a special meet-and-greet with the book’s author, Gemma Fowler. The initiative also led to the expansion of our school library’s eco-collection, giving students greater access to resources on sustainability.
The Scrubbery, a charity established in early 2020 to produce scrubs for healthcare workers, has since broadened its mission to support various community initiatives. For the past two years, it has been warmly welcomed as part of the Oasis Academy Putney community. In setting up our new school library, The Scrubbery helped address a need for more books on sustainability, climate, and environmental issues.
Rosie Taylor-Davies, founder of The Scrubbery, expressed her enthusiasm for the programme, stating, “It’s crucial to introduce young children to credible information and role models in the field of sustainability. The success of this initiative reflects the power of education in driving change, and we are grateful to Putney High and HSBC for their support.”
Librarian and Project Leader at Putney High School, Åsa Nylinder, highlighted the importance of early education on climate action, saying, “Small changes made by many can have a significant impact. Educating young minds on these changes will create lifelong habits that benefit us all.”
Interim Executive Principal, Mrs Elliott, shared her pride in the pupils’ achievements, noting, “The Eco Reading Challenge has been an extraordinary journey of learning and growth. Our pupils have shown incredible dedication to making a positive impact on our world, and we are immensely proud of their accomplishments.”
The Eco Reading Challenge has underscored the vital role of education in fostering a sustainable future. We are excited to continue our efforts to inspire and empower our pupils to be active participants in climate action.
