JUSTICE & SOLIDARITY Sustainability _____________________________Pages

JUSTICE & SOLIDARITY

Sustainability

In response to Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si and his calling for all to “care for our common home”, Sir David Attenborough’s view suggests that “for people to care about the Natural World, they must first love and understand it”. The alternating Campus and home classroom setting throughout 2020, provided students the unique opportunity to connect with and learn about the natural world by witnessing the wildlife outside their windows and in their own backyard. In addition, it enabled students to develop their awareness and responsibility for sustainable practices in the home. Many students thrived with the new learning opportunities provided and student leaders including Lachlan Kelly, relished the opportunity to lead the way on climate action advocacy via a plethora of social media platforms. With an ongoing commitment to increasing biodiversity in the school, Year 10 Environmental Science and VITA students planted a variety of indigenous saltbush species and Gold Dust Wattle on the North and South embankments of Carey Oval. Year 7 Class Captains together with Senior Leaders, increased the biodiversity in the Restorative garden by introducing Rock Correa and Gold dust Wattle and Sustainability Leaders, together with VITA and ATSI students introduced indigenous food species into our new octagonal wicking bed planter boxes. Over 160 native trees were planted on the east embankment of Carey Oval, completing Stage 4 of the Cary Oval revegetation project. Some maintenance of Carey Oval embankments was conducted by students undertaking Enviroservice and new staff member George Devine (former student) and Raelene McMahon supported student initiatives by watering and maintaining various planter boxes throughout the College grounds. Other projects that came to fruition throughout the year included; the implementation of a REPLAS recycled bench seat, the launch of a our Polymer Recycling Station and the installation of a new hothouse at the Edmund Rice Campus.

RECYCLED BENCH SEAT FROM REPLAS

On Friday 14 February, Year 8 Sustainability leaders Damian Mohr and Lucas Powell led Year 7 students in thoughtful prayer as we commissioned our first recycled bench seat. Made by the Melbourne based company, REPLAS using approximately 20,000 pieces of recycled soft plastic, the bench seat show cases our commitment toward circular economy. The inclusion of an eagle in the back of the seat signifies the Wadawurrung people’s Creator Spirit - Bunjil. The new bench seat is located outside the Peter Chanel Centre, enabling students and staff to sit, reflect, take in the surroundings and admire “Bunjil’s creation”

“TAKE 3”

With a little food incentive, students and staff alike were happy to volunteer and “Take 3” for the Sea to keep the school grounds clean during the Athletics Carnival on Friday 28 February. It was heartening to see so many students willingly participate and without instruction, cementing the notion that “Take 3” is becoming ubiquitous with the SJC culture.

CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY

On Sunday 1 March, volunteers across Australia, joined forces to remove rubbish from public areas including; parks, waterways, roadsides etc. Our SJC volunteers once again joined the Friends of Waurn Ponds Creek to clean up the embankments of the Waurn Ponds Creek near the shopping centre, baseball oval, skate park and swimming complex. Congratulations to the following families for their commitment and efforts throughout the morning; Elphinstone, Power, Saba, Salmon, and Sacred Heart families.

POLYMER RECYCLING CENTRE LAUNCH

On Thursday 11 July, Principal, Tony Paatsch, officiated the launch of the recently installed polymer reforming machinery together with special guest Ashley Pittard, Executive Officer, Barwon South West Waste and Resource Recovery Group, Year 11 VCAL students and several staff members. The machinery incorporating a CR Clarke Granulator and Sheet Press, together with a Vacuum Former (located in Systems Technology), will enable students to realise our goal of moving toward a circular economy, by reforming single use plastic items (including number 2 and 4 bottle tops) into creative, practical and purposeful new products, diverting them from a landfill or ocean destination. Staff members Ms Michelle Anderson and Ms Kate Wells facilitated the first Year 11 VCAL classes to utilise the machinery and Mr Shane Dawson’s Year 10 VITA students, together with staff members George Devine and Raelene McMahon worked behind the scenes, undertaking the bottle top sorting process.

NATIONAL RIDE TO SCHOOL DAY

Acknowledging the importance of carbon free travel and maintaining a physical lifestyle, the 2020 Sustainability Team held the National Ride to School Day on Friday 13 March. Building upon the success of the previous year, a total of 37 students rode their bikes to school- many receiving a free SJC water bottle and canteen voucher. Events like the National Ride to School Day highlight SJC’s commitment to promoting a sustainable future, as well as helping to encourage a healthy lifestyle.

Matthew Issell, Year 12

Planting garden beds Take 3 for the Sea

Recycled bench seat from REPLAS

Polymer Recycling Centre

SCHOOLS TREE DAY AND NATIONAL TREE PLANTING DAY PROJECTS

On Monday 27 July, Senior Leaders, Sustainability Leaders, and VITA and ATSI students planted indigenous bush foods and plant species next to the Careers building. The planting is a symbolic moment for St Joseph’s College as it represents a form of reconciliation, acknowledging the cultural, spiritual and natural heritage of Indigenous Australia. Indeed, one species in particular, known as the Yam Daisy (Microseris lanceolata) or ‘Murnong’ was a staple food in the diet of indigenous people. Following colonization and the introduction of European cattle and sheep, the once widespread food crop was devastated. By cultivating this food-crop, which bears many similarities to a potato in European society, St Joseph’s College is helping to assist an age-old cultural and agricultural tradition. Other bush foods planted on the day include Kangaroo Apple (Solanum laciniatum) which typically grows along riverbanks and colonised disturbed ground, Midyim Berry (Austromyrtus dulcis), Seaberry Saltbush (Rhagodia candolleana), Bower Spinach (Tetragonia implexicoma) and Karkalla (Carpobrotus rosii) which grows in the sand dunes on the coast and has an edible fruit.

Planting these species provides habitat by enhancing ecological diversity and drawing pollinators and birds on to the Campus. It also provides nourishment for the students and staff at the College. These plants yield food thus providing material sustenance and the activity of planting them nourishes students spiritually and culturally. With all that has occurred this year and the focus on student/staff wellbeing, getting into contact with healthy microbes (i.e. getting your hands in the soil) and cultivating some plants might just be the perfect tonic.

Patrick Day, Year 12 Senior Leader

On Tuesday 28 July, several Year 7 Class Captains collaborated with Student Leaders to conduct planting in our Reconciliation garden adjacent to the Arts building. Facilitated by Student Leadership Coordinators Mr Ashley Crook and Mr Sam Querella, students joined our ASTI Coordinator, Mrs Sue Collins to plant Gold Dust Wattle (Acacia Acinacea) and Rock Correa (Correa Glabra) throughout the garden. The vibrant yellow flowers of the Gold Dust Wattle and delicate tubular red and yellow flowers of the Rock Correa, will enhance the garden, providing extra colour, symbolic to both our Indigenous heritage and our College identity. On Monday 3 August VITA students together with Mr Shane Dawson, continued works on the Carey Embankment Revegetation Project, planting approximately 30 trees including; Gold Dust Wattle (Acacia acinacea) on the north embankment and Lightwood or Hickory Wattle (Acacia Implexa) on the far west embankment.

CAREY OVAL REVEGETATION PROJECT

What would arguably be one of the most challenging planting feats in our St Joseph’s College history, Graham Stockturn (West Coast Indigenous Nursery), together with Phillip Hunter, successfully planted 160 trees on the steep slopes of the east embankment of Carey Oval. In preparation, the seeds for our selected species were collected by Graeme in 2019 and were propagated to a viable size for planting this season. The species selected for the east embankment include; Drooping Sheoak (Allocasuarina verticillata); Lightwood (Acacia implexa); Melbourne Yellow Gum (Eucalyptus leucoxylon ssp. connata) and Wedge-leaf Hopbush (Dodonea viscosa).

SUSTAINABILITY LEADERSHIP

This year, I’ve enjoyed my role as a Sustainability Leader for Year 7. I’ve always loved caring for the environment and it was great to be able to put it into action at my new school. During these strange times, the simple things such as planting a garden at the start of the year and coming back each week to water and weed it was very relaxing. Coming back after remote learning, the plants have not only survived but grown well during COVID-19 (no doubt with a little TLC from the SJC Ground Staff.) It just goes to show despite all the difficulties we’ve faced, Mother Nature will find a way.

Kade Hyde, Year 7

During sustainability I have learnt how to how to maintain a garden and how to look after a worm farm. At home I have been planting corn and lettuce in my garden and I set up my own worm farm. I have learnt how to fertilize soil and what a pitch fork does.

Gianfranco Carpani, Year 8

Tree planting next to Carey Oval Planting Indigenous Bush Foods

Ride to School Day - Westcourt