Waunfawr Primary School in Crosskeys has received international recognition at the 2026 International Green Apple Environment Awards for an initiative examining the relationship between school catering and tropical forest destruction.
The programme, titled Saving Rainforests, One School Meal at a Time, was selected from more than 700 submissions submitted internationally.
The initiative was delivered in collaboration with the charitable organisation Size of Wales and tasked young people with understanding how food production and worldwide supply chains contribute to deforestation.
Students collaborated with Caerphilly County Borough Council’s purchasing and catering departments, environmental sustainability experts and elected members to investigate methods of minimising the ecological footprint of school meals.
Applying their newfound knowledge, the pupils created a sustainable noodle dish incorporating tofu and vegetables, before presenting their concept alongside MasterChef winner James Nathan.
The project concluded with a visit to the council chambers in June, during which the children presented their research and demonstrated how procurement choices made locally can affect global environmental conditions.
Headteacher Melissa Armishaw expressed pride in the students’ accomplishments, noting that the initiative illustrates what becomes possible when young people receive the understanding, assurance and platform to articulate their perspectives.
According to the headteacher, the school aims to ensure pupils recognise that their contributions can extend beyond the classroom and that even at primary level, they can participate in creating beneficial transformation.
Councillor Carol Andrews, Cabinet Member for Education, Communities and Transformation, described the accolade as a remarkable accomplishment for all participants and emphasised the enthusiasm, imagination and dedication demonstrated by Waunfawr’s students.
The councillor stated that their efforts reveal how young individuals can make meaningful contributions to addressing ecological challenges and assisting in the development of more sustainable futures for their communities and the wider world.
This marks the institution’s second International Green Apple Award.
Staff members and governor representatives will attend a formal ceremony at the House of Lords in November alongside former students to officially accept the honour.
The acknowledgement follows Caerphilly County Borough Council becoming only the second local authority in Wales to pledge commitment to the Deforestation-Free Champion Council initiative.