Cycle to School Day: Pedalling for the Planet

Ringwood Waldorf pupils turn eco-warriors on school run

PEDALLING FOR THE PLANET. Children at Ringwood Waldorf School on the Cycle to School day.

Environmental awareness was the theme of the lesson as dozens of pupils took to pedal power to arrive at one of the South’s leading alternative schools.

Ringwood Waldorf School’s Cycle to School Day encouraged families from as far away as Southampton, south Wiltshire and Blandford to use sustainable transport for the school run.

While some chose early morning bike rides or took the bus, others living more closely opted to walk or jog.

Me to We

The day was an initiative of the pupil group, Me to We, whose members, aged 11 and older, plan events and activities to fundraise for and raise awareness of good causes.

Teacher Sandi Weir, who helps co-ordinate Me to We, said: “As the only Steiner school in Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire, we have a very wide catchment area. It’s inspiring that so many of our pupils and families responded to the idea and ditched the car for the day in favour of greener transport.”

Parent James Hobbs, who cycled in from Alderholt with his son Finn, said: “This was all about reminding people of climate change and that we can all do something positive to help the environment wherever you live.”   

Eco School

Ringwood Waldorf School is recognised as an Eco School under an international award programme that guides and helps educate children on environmental issues.

Among other Me to We initiatives, pupils have raised money for the Hampshire homeless charity Emmaus, the Ringwood Food Bank, an orphanage in India and a campaign for more clean water in developing countries. 

ECO-WARRIORS. Children from Ringwood Waldorf School on their Cycle to School day.

Cycle to School Day

The initiative was the idea of parent Gary Rolt and, combined with the ‘Eco Week’ led by science teacher Dr Eli Vantoch-Woods, was part of the school’s bid to become a recognised ‘Eco School’.

Music teacher Sandi Weir said: “It’s inspiring to see such positivity and team spirit in our young people keen to create change. Some left home before 6am to cycle in from as far away as Southampton and Blandford.”

Sandi added: “Eco Schools is an international award programme that guides and helps educate children on environmental issues. We should now be ready for achieving the bronze flag, the first step of the awards scheme.”

Ringwood Waldorf School, just a short drive from Bournemouth on the Hampshire-Dorset border, is part of the fastest growing alternative education system in the world. Tried and tested for nearly a century, the Steiner Waldorf curriculum is all about nurturing emotional and cognitive literacy with a strong emphasis on creativity. The school in Folly Farm Lane, Ringwood, caters for children from age three to 18 and operates as a registered charity. For details of open days, introductory tours and taster days, call 01425 472664 or email enquiries@ringwoodwaldorfschool.org.uk.

Media enquiries on this news release to Scott Sinclair on 01425 654544.