Schools offered a chance to win Bishop of Norwich's £1,000 nature prize |
The Environment Prize for Schools, now in its second year, aims to help children connect with the natural world
It is open to all Church of England primary schools in the diocese of Norwich, and the winning school will get £1,000 to spend on its green project.
The Rt Rev Graham Usher, who is the Church of England’s lead bishop on the environment, is particularly interested in hearing how children are involved in devising or running the project - which might already be thriving or something pupils are looking to launch.
“This award is about giving children the chance to experience the joy and solace of God’s wonderful creation, helping them to love it, understand it, care for it and become a voice for it,” said the bishop.
Last year, the prize went to a nature garden designed and created by the children, staff and friends of St Peter and St Paul Carbrooke Primary Academy and Nursery. The school is part of the Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust.
Children from the school council, aged from four to 11, helped make many of the decisions about the new garden.
The project was led by reception class teacher Keely Cunningham, who encouraged schools to enter this year's award, saying: “It was a very short and quick application to complete. The children have loved working to help develop the spiritual garden and are looking forward to it being finished.”
Bishop Graham visited the winning school to present the prize for its "wonderful garden".
"The children have designed it, helped create it, and as it takes shape they are passionate champions of their new space," he said "They took inspiration from Norwich Cathedral and added a labyrinth and I very much look forward to finding out what they will do next as they continue to develop their Spiritual Nature Garden.”
To enter, complete the online application form and submit it by Monday June 1.