SCHOOLS which care for their environment could be in line for a prize at an awards scheme run by The Journal.
For the fifth year running, The Journal is joining forces with its sister paper, the Evening Gazette, and main sponsors Northumbrian Water, to run the North East Schools Awards.
Among the categories is the Sustainable School Award, which is being sponsored by Metro bosses Nexus.
Huw Lewis, head of communications for Nexus, said: “We want young people to grow up confident about all the travel options open to them, and not just dreaming of their first car.
“That means knowing when taking a bus or Metro is the best choice – and enjoying the health benefits of walking or cycling. Schoolchildren already make more than 13.5 million journeys by bus and Metro in Tyne and Wear every year.
“Nexus, funded by the Integrated Transport Authority, makes things easier by subsidising travel for school-age passengers to keep fares down.
“That means a child can travel for 50p single or all day for £1 with our Cat ticket. We also work closely with schools to provide and improve travel to and from the classroom.
“And this year Nexus has introduced the new Pop smart card first to our under-16 card holders, with more than 30,000 already issued.
“It’s all part of making sure young people see public transport as a smarter, sensible and sustainable choice.
“Nexus is delighted to sponsor the North East Schools Awards, recognising the efforts that teachers and schools make to give their pupils the best start to life.”
Last year’s winner of the Sustainable School Award was St Anne’s C of E Primary in Bishop Auckland, County Durham. The Year Six pupils led the school’s sustainability project, called Keen to be Green. The 10 and 11-year-olds also made it their aim to educate the young pupils and the wider community about green issues.
The North East Schools Awards are open to all primaries, secondaries and special schools from Northumberland down to Teesside.
There are nine awards in total – four for school projects and five for staff. All project award winners will be presented with a £1,000 grant for their school, a trophy and a certificate at a special ceremony in July. Individual winners will also get a trophy and certificate. The categories are: Sustainable School Award; Active Community Award; School Newspaper Award; Healthy School Award; Headteacher of the Year; Support Staff of the Year; Inspirational Primary School Teacher; Inspirational Secondary School Teacher and Caretaker of the Year.
The campaign is also being sponsored by the Centre for Life.
The awards ceremony will take place on July 14 at the Centre for Life, in Newcastle’s Times Square.
The closing day for entries is June 6. If you know of a deserving person or project we want to hear about them.
For more information and to enter online log on to www.journallive.co.uk/schoolawards or www.gazettelive.co.uk/schoolawards
Alternatively call Jennifer Cook, event manager, on 0191 204 3310 or send an e-mail to jennifer.cook@ncjmedia.co.uk
