Zero Waste as Girton Uniform Changes

Second hand Girton Grammar School uniforms will be repurposed by the non-profit social enterprise SisterWorks and donated to an elementary school in the Philippines in a bid to achieve Zero Waste as the school transitioned to a refreshed uniform this year.

Acting Head at Girton Grammar School, Dr Emma O’Rielly, said that money raised from sales in the School’s second-hand uniform shop would be used to re-brand the Girton uniform items.

“This story towards Zero Waste is a wonderful example of what can be achieved with creative thinking and hard work.

“Thanks to some Junior School parents, and one in particular, we have made a connection with a school in the Philippines.

“Father Junray Ryanga at St Killians Parish Church here in Bendigo is a long-time supporter of the Pangamihan Elementary School. When he saw our excess stock of school uniform items, he was delighted with the potential for the uniforms to have a second life.  

“Our Junior School parents reached out to SisterWorks, a Melbourne based organisation supporting female refugees. The timing was perfect because SisterWorks are just establishing themselves in Bendigo.

“For the immediate future, several of the Sisters will be based at the Girton Grammar Junior School sewing Elementary School logos onto the Girton school uniform items.

“We are so thrilled with the connections we have made with SisterWorks and with the Pangamihan Elementary School, opening up many opportunities for our students for cultural exchange and building social conscience,” Dr O’Rielly said.

The families who send their children to the Elementary School sacrifice much to support their children's education. Many children walk up to two hours each way, to and from school, each day. The school does not currently have a school uniform.

SisterWorks is dedicated to empowering women, and their mantra is that to support each other is to strengthen each other. In particular, the group brings women together in friendship and provides them with skills that they can use immediately to work and support themselves financially.

“We hope that the relationships that have been built through this initiative endure for a long time, beyond the repurposing of school uniform items,” Dr O’Rielly said.