Local school children speak for the planet
Local school children speak for the planet
In a New Zealand first, school
students from across Christchurch are coming together this
Friday, June 7th in a Speak 4 The Planet student
competition. The top speeches and artists from fourteen
schools will come together to vie for the top spots and
exciting eco-prizes and public can come and listen
too.
Speak 4 The Planet is a year 7 to 13 speech and
art competition based on the World Environment Day themes of
beating plastic pollution and fighting air pollution. Both
are hot topics addressing biodiversity and climate breakdown
issues that will impact these children more than most of us.
“We’ve seen the youth step up across the world
and here in Christchurch with the school strike for
climate.” says Michelle Whitaker, who is project managing
the event for Sustainable Ōtautahi Christchurch. “I’m
very interested in what our young people are thinking and
want to support young people to have their say. In this
competition they can do this through various types of
speeches and art. It will be both entertaining and
informative.”
Jocelyn Paprill from NZAEE says “the
schools and teachers have really got behind the students
involvement, run mini competitions themselves and bringing
the best to the main event. A couple of young girls spoke
really well at the School Strike for Climate and we’re
really excited that they’re participating in our event
too.”
“We have got some amazing people and
sponsors on board,” says Ms Whitaker, “our art judges
include Henry Sutherland from Ara and Nicola Wallace-Bell
representing Christchurch Arts Festival. The judging of the
speeches will be done by Sara Templeton, Christchurch City
Councillor who is a great environmental advocate; Matt
Morris from Sustainability Office, Canterbury University who
on the side creates organic fermented goodies under the
guise of The Urban Monk; Helen Townsend who set up the
wonderful social enterprise The Rubbish Whisperer; and Cody
Harrington and Celina Templeton speech gurus from local
Toastmasters.”
What Ms Whitaker also is excited
about is the two MCs. “Megan and Ollie are from Ara’s
Sustainability and Outdoor Education course. They are
naturally fun and entertaining, know their stuff and will
set the youth vibe well. We really encourage people to pop
in, check out the wonderful art and hear some speeches. The
students will be doing prepared speeches, impromptu and
spoken word.” The event is this Friday, June 7th, 9.30 to
3pm at TSB, Tūranga. Prize giving at
4.30pm.
Organised by a partnership between Sustainable
Ōtautahi Christchurch and the local branch of the New
Zealand Association for Environmental Education (NZAEE). It
is supported by SIFT (Sustainable Initiatives Fund Trust) a
charitable trust that funds projects that create or inspire
long-term environmental benefits.
More details www.sustainablechristchurch.org.nz and
on facebook @sustainablechristchurch.
ENDS