Sustainability is expressed in a number of ways across the school, and we are continuously looking for ways to embed a sustainability mindset that extends far beyond our students’ time here.

One such initiative is the recent launch of the Service and Sustainability Learning track within the MYP. On September 21st (International Day of Peace), more than 35 groups of Grade 6 -10 students committed to a set of sustainability pledges. Each pledge was designed to bring about a positive change within our community, and needed to take the following into consideration:

• The pledges must inspire and energize students (after all, service should be fun!).
• Pledges need to be actionable within our local or school community.
• Pledges need to have a real impact on people or the environment.
• Students must be able to achieve their pledges within the 30-week timeframe.
• Students need to make use of available resources.

To be able to come up with meaningful pledges, 6th, 8th and 10th grade students listened to a keynote speech by environmental expert Michelle Gordon, who invited students to explore a fictional environmental scenario. This workshop culminated in students, representing a range of community stakeholders, collaborating in a town hall-style meeting, and agreeing on three clear actions as a community.

Grades 7 & 9 considered this project through a more peace-focused lens. They took the ferry from Nyhavn to Youth Island to attend a series of inspirational workshops. Afterward, they were asked to define their own dreams, wishes and goals which would be the basis of their pledges.

Students were encouraged to create measurable and achievable goals with defined success criteria. They needed to break down their ideas into tangible tasks in order to truly make change within the 30-week time period.

Over the coming weeks, students will articulate their chosen pledges and action plans, which we will then share with the community. We’re excited to follow a few of these pledges more closely over the coming weeks and months to showcase not just the wonderful impact that students are having on their community, but also how their thinking and mindset is impacted by this process.

Stay tuned!