Grounds Committee - Working Bees

A big thank you to all of the people who have come along to recent Working Bees.  These working bees have been critical in the school’s plans to green the grounds, support biodiversity and create a healthier environment.

You would have seen our progress around the school since last year. First, native garden planting along Albion Street saw garden beds built, and native shrubs, creepers, grasses and flowers planted. This garden is growing well and looking beautiful.

Next was the garden at the front of the school along Pearson Street. Gone are the agapanthus plants, which were so tough they had to be removed with a machine! In their place are locally indigenous plants including several yellow box trees that will grow into large shady trees.  Indigenous shrubs, flowers and grasses are growing, with more planted last week to help fill up the garden beds. 

The final native planting for this year was around the bike park area. With some funding via a Junior Landcare Grant, locally indigenous trees and shrubs, including some beautiful banksias, will provide shade and greenery to what was a bit of a barren area.

All of these plantings will grow to provide habitat for our native species. Butterflies, native bees and other insects will be attracted to the plants, as will insect and nectar feeding birds and once they are a bit bigger, the trees may support the possums, gliders and larger birds that live in the area. This important patch of indigenous habitat will also provide a stepping stone for wildlife so they can move through Brunswick, particularly between the Moonee Ponds and Merri creeks.

More native plantings are planned for next year.   

The recent working bee in the newly landscaped quadrangle saw trees, shrubs, groundcovers, flowers and grasses planted to create a sensory garden. It is a mix of native and exotic plants with different textures, colour and scents that will help create a quiet and calming space for children.

Over the working bees in the last year, we have seen around 1000 plants added to the BNPS grounds. One of the priorities identified by families was to 'green the school' with a focus on indigenous plants. The Grounds Committee, with the help of many parents and friends, are doing just that.

If you are interested in getting more involved, why not join the grounds committee and help to keep this green transformation growing?

BNPS Grounds Sub-Committee