More than 160 pupils at St John’s Catholic Primary School in Camborne have dressed up to form the shape and colour of the Fairtrade logo in celebration of the foundation’s 25th anniversary.

Camborne achieved Fairtrade status ten years ago and was chosen as the only south west venue for the national celebration. St John’s has been supporting Fairtrade since 2014, two other nearby primary schools are working towards official recognition and many local businesses and organisations publicly support the Fairtrade initiative.

Joining the school children and their teachers were the town’s mayor, David Wilkins, local councillors, members of the BID (Business Improvement District) team, parents and Fairtrade commercial marketing manager Cat Rayner who came dressed as a banana.

Former teacher Brian Terry has been the driving force behind Camborne’s Fairtrade awareness and commitment over the last decade. He coordinated the anniversary event, which included a cake, shaped like the logo, which was made by BID Camborne chair and local business owner Sharron Lipscombe-Manley.

“This has been a whole town effort and I’m really pleased with the interest and support we’ve had,” said Brian. “Fairtrade is making a positive difference worldwide by helping to ensure farmers and workers are rewarded fairly for what they produce. As consumers, we’ve all got a role to play in making ethically and environmentally-responsible buying decisions and I’m so proud of Camborne for all that it continues to do in promoting such a worthy cause.”

St John’s Primary School embeds Fairtrade teaching and learning into the curriculum.

“We have a steering group of staff, led by our deputy head Fran Lobban, which organises events, activities and special assemblies on the subject,” said headteacher Nicky Teixeira. “Each class is taught about how a Fairtrade item is made and our school councillors run a Fairtrade tuckshop. We’ve also played host to a Camborne Youth Citizenship conference which gave local schools the opportunity of meeting a group of Fairtrade farmers from Kenya.

“Our children and staff are very proud to have taken such an active role in Fairtrade’s anniversary celebrations and believe it is very important to know where the food and goods we buy come from and that the people who make them are treated well and fairly.”