Whitelees Primary in Cumbernauld – home of North Lanarkshire Council's very own School of Rock, which has been supported in the past by Yoko Ono – is vying for a number one spot following the launch at a special assembly today (Monday) of an innovative music CD and DVD in the name of Fair Trade.

 

Launched to coincide with the beginning of Fairtrade Fortnight (25 February to 9 March), the CD features a brand-new song exclusively written and performed by Whitelees School of Rock and primary seven pupils from the school.

 

The appropriately-titled 'Fair Trade is the Answer' promotes and supports the work of SCIAF (Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund) and the Fairtrade Foundation and raises awareness of Fair Trade issues and products both within the school and within the wider local community. SCIAF and the Fairtrade Foundation have played a key role in setting up the Fairtrade Schools Awards and promoting the interests of farmers living in poverty in developing countries.

 

The new CD was recorded at and produced by Cumbernauld College on behalf of the school and ties in with the school's enterprise project, which focuses on Fair Trade.

 

The overall objectives of the enterprise project are to raise awareness of the exploitation of poor people globally, promoting and embracing global citizenship, valuing diversity and engendering a real sense of community that stretches across the world.

 

With lines such as "what's it like to grow food yet starve" and "let's pay the price that's fair and so lend a hand", the song is designed to encourage everyone to incorporate Fair Trade into their everyday lives, using Fairtrade products and supporting Fair Trade campaigns. 

 

Following the launch of the CD, the song will be performed by Whitelees School of Rock – which describes itself as "the best band in the world" – and the primary seven pupils at the Fairtrade Festival in Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Sunday 2 March. They will also appear at the Fairtrade bus in Buchanan Street in Glasgow later that same day.

 

To ensure that as many people as possible know that 'Fair Trade is the Answer', the pupils have written to stores such as Marks & Spencer, Asda, Tesco and Co-op – who have all donated Fairtrade products to the school – to ask them to play the CD during Fairtrade fortnight. They are also hopeful that they will be able to get some radio airplay for their track.

 

Whitelees Primary's Head Teacher, Ann Kay, said: "There is absolutely no stopping these pupils! They have taken their enthusiasm for their music and the school and put one hundred per cent into learning about Fair Trade, recognising the issues, and have come up with their own unique way to make a difference this Fairtrade fortnight.

 

"This project has really empowered them as it shows that they know that global issues like poverty and people going hungry are everyone's responsibility and they are doing something about it. Some of the messages they have incorporated into their song are very powerful indeed and they just want to go out and tell everyone about it.

 

"We all think this is a fantastic project, which ties in well with A Curriculum for Excellence, and are very proud of our pupils, who have done a terrific job with this CD. We are indebted to Cumbernauld College for its support in producing the CD – it has been an invaluable partner and even got the kids involved in preparing a Fairtrade meal. And SCIAF's Schools Officer, John Sharp, has also provided valuable advice and support.

 

"Let's hope we get the message across that 'Fair Trade is the Answer' and work to make Cumbernauld a Fairtrade town and Scotland a Fairtrade nation."

 

Councillor Jim Logue, Convener of North Lanarkshire Council's Learning & Leisure Services Committee, said: "Learning about Fair Trade enables young people to explore issues about diversity, inequality, human rights, poverty and sustainable development and it's great to see how Whitelees Primary is doing this. A number of our schools regularly undertake Fair Trade activities and it is our hope that all our schools will register with the Fairtrade Foundation Award Scheme and achieve Fairtrade status in the near future."

 

SCIAF Schools Officer, John Sharp added: "Whitelees Primary Fair Trade song is a fantastic way to help carry the Fair Trade message far and wide, and raise money to combat global poverty. All the pupils and teachers should be congratulated for their hard work and inspiring act of global citizenship. Fairly traded products are having a huge impact on the lives of millions of poor farmers and people living in poverty. The proceeds from the CD sales will help SCIAF provide life-saving resources such as food, medicine, seeds, tools and skills training to those in need in the developing world."

 

Tom Dodds, Assistant Principal of Cumbernauld College, said: "We were delighted to get involved with Whitelees Primary and help them produce something real and tangible that would help with the Fair Trade project. This was a great opportunity for two education sectors to work together to show how education and learning should be – and can be – fun and the children got real benefits from this. It was a real pleasure to work with the school and help them put their powerful messages about Fair Trade across in a fun and interesting way."

 

Members of Whitelees School of Rock summed up all that their CD project was about.

 

• Singer Fiona Lauder (11) said: "We want our song to encourage people to buy more Fairtrade products." 
• Daniel Kearney (11), who plays keyboard, said: "It's about making sure more people know about Fair Trade and respond to it "heart and soul" like we sing in our song."
• Signer and guitarist, Scott Parker (11), added: "It's about doing something to help Fair Trade and other people rather than just talking about it. We're actually doing something that will help and make a difference."
• Jack Boyce (11), drummer, said: "'Fair Trade is the answer' – it's a good opportunity to play our music and promote Fair Trade at the same time."

Copies of 'Fairtrade is the answer' are available from Whitelees Primary at a cost of £3 each or two for £5. The school can be contacted on 01236 734509.

 

ends

 

Notes to editors:

 

SCIAF is Scotland's leading international aid and development agency and works in over 20 countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America. It is the official aid and development agency of the Catholic Church in Scotland and helps some of the world's poorest people, regardless of religion.

 

Every year SCIAF provides life-saving resources such as food, cooking utensils, mattresses, medicine, seeds, tools, school books, pens, counselling and practical skills training to individuals, families, and communities living with poverty, war and HIV/AIDS. In Scotland SCIAF also campaigns to promote Fair Trade and better aid.