News
St George's becomes a Fairtrade School
12 June 2025
St George’s is taking steps to ensure a fairer, more sustainable world by becoming a Fairtrade School in collaboration with Fairtrade Lëtzebuerg on World Day Against Child Labour.
In practice this means that the 30,000 cups of coffee served at St George’s each year will now be Fairtrade certified. Their bananas, sugar and chocolate will also be Fairtrade as will all sports balls purchased for the school’s new gymnasium. Students will also comply with the new guidelines by using only Fairtrade ingredients when making items to sell at bake sales.
The certification is the result of a student-led initiative that has brought together the school community in support of ethical and sustainable practices. “The journey began when Year 5 students took part in workshops organised by the Fairtrade Lëtzebuerg,” said St George’s Sustainability Coordinator Anne-Marie McHugh.
“Inspired by what they learned, the students launched a petition calling for the school to adopt Fairtrade principles. Their enthusiasm quickly spread and they were joined by the school’s Secondary Eco-Agents, who formed a Fairtrade School Committee. Together, students from both Primary and Secondary levels worked to implement meaningful changes across the school.”
To mark the signing of the Fairtrade School agreement, 350 St George’s students participated in a celebratory dance event during an official ceremony. The performance was part of the #DancingAgainstChildWork campaign, a joint initiative between Fairtrade and Kinderarbeit Stoppen, which raises awareness about child labour. Students danced to the vibrant “Dibby Dibby Sound” as a symbol of solidarity with children around the world.
“Fairtrade means making sure that children are not forced to work,” one student said. “Today, we are dancing against child labour. We are protesting with children around the world. All children should have fun, play outside and get educated fairly.”
The sentiments were echoed by Fairtrade Lëtzebuerg President Jean-Louis Zeien, who spoke about the choices consumers can make to ensure a fairer world for all. “A bar of chocolate can be infinitely more than just a bar of chocolate. It can be your contribution against child labour,” Mr Zeien said. “Each of us can do our bit to reduce child labour. Children should work in school, not in the cocoa field.
“Keep your eyes open in the supermarket, not just on World Day Against Child Labour, but every day. Look for the Fairtrade label. With the Fairtrade premium that is in the chocolate, we provide local schooling. Fairtrade prohibits child labour and the cooperatives in Africa are committed to ensuring that the children of cocoa farmers receive an education. This is an investment in the future and St George’s International School will now also make its contribution as a certified Fairtrade School.”
St George's Principal Zeba Clarke said the students hadshowed initiative, determination and strong teamwork in setting and achieving their goals. "This award is a testament to their desire to make our world a kinder, fairer environment, where all children enjoy the right to an education and to play. Our St George’s community knows that when we help others rise, we help ourselves rise."
