THE BIG Switch Off which was led by six girls from Westacre Middle School in Droitwich has been hailed a great success.
Bea Rusby, Grace Rusby, Amelia Jessop, Indiya Hancox, Mya Slavin and Emmie Clarke approached staff to ask if they could inspire other schools, businesses and people across the town to turn off their electrical devices for just half-an-hour to save power and highlight how much is used.
Many local schools, parents and businesses participated in the activity.
Westacre’s deputy headteacher Catherine Doolin said, “The girls feel very passionately about the environment and are always looking for ways to save energy and raise awareness.
“We always encourage our pupils to have a voice and a strong sense of social responsibility.
“When they came to me with this plan it seemed such a simple idea to put in place and we are thrilled so many other schools and members of our community joined us on the day.
“The school are incredibly proud of all the girls and the effort they have put in to making this project such a success.”
The girls made a video to celebrate everyone who joined them for the Big Switch Off.
Emmie, who is the school’s head girl, said: “We can’t believe so many people took part, it is amazing how the idea spread.”
The group of girls worked hard on the build-up to the day, delivering assemblies to local schools, distributing leaflets, sending emails and visiting local businesses.
Year seven pupil Amelia Jessop who came up with the hashtag #DarkTodayForALightTomorrow.
She said, “We were so excited when we saw the amount of people on social media who started to support us.”
