Garden Update

Volunteers:

If you arrive to school early, or stumble upon the grounds on the weekend, please help us in our Kitchen Garden. We have a variety of herbs, fruits and vegetables that rely on community contributions to keep them alive! There will be a watering can next to the tap that you can use to water the variety of plants. Attached is an outline of the garden and what is in each area. Whilst we endeavour to water the garden, with the increasing demands, we do not have the time to water as often as we would like! It is a great mindful exercise to stop and smell the mint, parsley, oregano or basil! Thank you for your assistance in advance.

Kitchen Garden

Other areas:

We are reaching out for some extra helping hands during the upcoming school holidays. If you have some time to spare, we invite you to join us as a volunteer to water the garden. It is a rewarding and relaxing way to connect with nature and contribute to the beauty of our school environment. For those interested, Brooke Danaher will be hosting a brief session on Monday 9 December, immediately after school, for five minutes to provide more details about what volunteering entails. Your questions are more than welcome.

Sustainable Christmas Tips.

Christmas is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with family and friends. But it often includes lavish meals and gifts, with the potential for wasted food, unwanted presents and a great deal of unnecessary packaging. Fortunately, minimising the negative environmental and health impact of these events does not need to be difficult. Here are some tips to help make this festive season a sustainable season.

Use a living Christmas tree

Every plastic Christmas tree will eventually end up in landfill but living Christmas trees are 100% biodegradable and easily recycled.

Consider sustainable gifts

We've all had the experience of being given something we don't want, like or need. Minimise waste by buying sustainable gifts such as donations and experiences, or gifts made from recycled materials.

Reduce food waste

At Christmas it is all too easy to buy too much of everything and end up with a lot of waste. Make a list before you leave home of only the things you really need to buy. Send your guests home with leftovers to ensure nothing goes in the bin.

Minimise plastic and packaging

When buying gifts and items for Christmas lunch, consider how much plastic packaging they come with. Avoid straws, skip bottled water and recycle what you can afterwards.

Avoiding disposable dinnerware

Plastic plates, cups, cutlery and drink stirrers can't be recycled easily at our recycling facilities, even when they are made from recyclable plastic. The good news is that there are many alternatives to using disposable dinnerware.

Shop locally

Shopping locally will support the local economy and employment, and minimise energy expenditure and emissions associated with transport.

“Idle Off Awareness Campaign: Evidence, Partnerships and The Pitch.

Did you know that leaving your car engine running is tantamount to smoking a cigarette around a child?

Public Lecture. Thursday November 28, 5:00pm - 6:30pm. The Spot, Level 1 Lecture Theatre, 198 Berkeley St Carlton.

Join us to hear from the experts on why we need an Idle Off Awareness Campaign in Australia.

Also available to stream online (Zoom link emailed through after registration). Register now as spots are limited! Idle Off Awareness Campaign: Evidence, Partnerships and The Pitch Tickets, Thu, Nov 28, 2024 at 5:00 PM | Eventbrite

This public lecture will feature speakers from University of Melbourne, Deakin University, Doctors for the Environment, Royal Melbourne Hospital and VML Marketing who will give insights on:

1. the impact of tailpipe emissions on child respiratory health

2. pilot research findings from a child-led research project testing the Idle-Off campaign

3. international case study examples

4. the pitch for why we need this campaign in Australia”

Competitions:

Toyota Dream Car Art contest: 23 September- 20 December. Get a head start by racing over to Cool.orgto download resources, get the scoop on the amazing prizes to be won and find links to the online, bulk entry portal. Dream Car Contest | Toyota Australia

Sustainability Days of significance for Term 4

December 5- World Soil Day

Brooke Danaher

Sustainability Coordinator

Solway Primary School Newsletter

Issue 19 · 03 Dec 2024

In this issue