Year 8 pupils at Monmouth Comprehensive School have been exploring methods to raise awareness of a range of global issues linked to sustainability and the environment.

Over the last few weeks they have been developing their skills of critical thinking and creativity and innovation to research global issues in order to plan, design and showcase their methods to raise awareness of their chosen global issues. Pupils felt it was very important to consider the impact of these issues: "to think globally but act locally."

Ways to raise awareness were presented at the Year 8 Sustainability Conference on 26th June and included songs, websites, plays and display presentations. One class used their innovation skills to illistrate that the textiles industry is the second largest polluter after the oil industry and form 8CR wanted to raise awareness of the impact.

As part of the conference, they decided to upcycle old jeans, ties and drink pouches donated by pupils and teachers. 8CR were also grateful to the charity shops in Monmouth for supplying ties for their project.

A group of eight pupils - Bella, Edie, Cadey, Chloe, Callum, Toby, Gethin and Gloria, along with their Form Tutor, Mrs Ryan, made two dresses, three bags and an assortment of jewellery, all in the space of a few weeks.