On Tuesday December 11th, two Year 11 pupils from Salesian School Chertsey, Niamh Forbes and Calogera Scannella, led a Fairtrade assembly for pupils at St Charles Borromeo Catholic Primary School Weybridge, accompanied by Chaplain Fr Marco Villani SDB. The children, aged from Year 3 upwards were treated to a PowerPoint presentation containing a selection of images pertaining to various types of food, with the challenge being to guess correctly which Fairtrade produce was represented.

Calogera and Niamh then spoke with conviction about the difference that Fairtrade makes to farmers across the world. Pupils responded avidly with an array of questions, ranging from the type of difficulties that farmers face currently, to exploring the practical difference that Fairtrade makes. Fr Marco explained the problems that many producers experience around the world, viz. the monopolisation of markets by large multinational companies that force down prices and leave farmers with no option but to sell their goods at the lowest price offered. Fr. M Villani explained the rationale behind the Fairtrade Premium, which guarantees producers both a fair price and the reassurance of predicted pricing in a time of volatile markets, allowing farmers to plan ahead and budget.

Pupils of St. Charles Borromeo were encouraged to share the Fairtrade message with family and friends with the challenge to switch to items displaying the Fairtrade Logo. The assembly was very well received by pupils and staff alike.

Fr Marco said, "Particular thanks go to Mr. S Holt, Headteacher of St Charles Borromeo Catholic Primary School Weybridge for his enthusiasm in welcoming Salesian School Chertsey, to the pupils and teachers and of course to Niamh Forbes and Calogera Scannella, without whom this form of outreach would not have been possible."

Salesian School is a FairAchiever school, the final step in the Fairtrade Schools Award, offered by the Fairtrade Foundation. The criteria for this level of awards specify - the school has fully embedded Fairtrade into their daily life and work to raise awareness of Fairtrade in their local community. Visiting other schools to spread the Fairtrade message is part of this work and, when the canteen and food services in the Sixth Form were revamped recently, a vital element was ensuring the coffee on the menu was Fairtrade! (photos below).