NEWTOWN High School students held their own Climate Change Rebellion.

Headteacher Rob Edwards said: “While there are clearly some very important social and educational issues at stake here, the notion of a student strike inevitably posed some difficult challenges for all schools, as we have a duty of care to safeguard all students in our care each and every day. While we did not wish to countenance any disruption to our school routines on Friday, we were also aware that a number of students would like to exercise their democratic right to join the rallies to support the campaign. I took the decision that as a school we would offer support to the climate change strike in our own school environment by holding our own ‘Climate Change Rebellion’.”

Throughout the week students explored the causes and consequences of climate change and through a session delivered by Keep Wales Tidy students explored what can be done to reduce and reverse the effects of climate change. Additionally, students and staff from Newtown High School were joined by representatives from OPEN Newtown who were on hand to answer any questions students had about alternative energy resources, horticulture and the merits of buying local produce. The Climate Change Rebellion was even joined by an electric car, brought along by Nigel Pugh Motors, which had students enthralled.

At 10.40am, all students and staff of Newtown High School walked out onto their school field to hold a demonstration against Climate Change, students had been encouraged to make banners and wear re-used, second hand or ethically sourced clothing for the event. The aerial photograph of the protest was captured by Newson Media.

The teachers of Newtown High School took on the burden for change themselves and didn’t leave it all down to the students! Throughout Climate Change Rebellion day teachers were encouraged to have a ‘Lights Out Lesson’ and to use as little electricity as possible.

The Climate Change Rebellion is only the start of the work Newtown High School will be doing to explore the issues surrounding the climate emergency, students in Key Stage 3 will use their new found knowledge to develop their literacy skills by writing to local and Welsh Government to lobby for climate change.