Climate Action Team News

Hello Beaumaris Secondary College! 

We are the Climate Action Team, CAT for short, and we’re here to share the good news about our plans to help our school improve its bioethicality as well as to encourage all of you to care about and take steps to save our environment. Our goals for the Climate Action Team are environment, education, and sustainability. This newsletter is simply one of the many parts of our mission to spread the good word and inform you about how you can help.

Current Projects

So plans change, and we’re shifting things around! On October 7th, the first day of term 4, the UN is holding World Habitat Day! We’re currently planning out an entire week of lunch-time events for then to look forward to, from watching documentaries in W5 to building bee bundles! We’ll be giving out proper information for this on October 7th during the first day of term assembly, and we’re so excited to make the week as fantastic as possible! As well as that, we’re still working out plans to develop the school’s vegetable garden and find proper places to plant out more native flora. If you’re into gardening and wouldn’t mind helping us iron out the kinks of that plan, please join us in our weekly meetings!

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

We know that many of you care about the environment but aren’t quite sure how to get started in helping our world. Fortunately, we’ve got you covered! With every newsletter we make, we plan to share with you an array of opportunities you can use to give back to the environment. Even if you aren’t in it for the planet, you can easily get in it for a fleshed-out resume! For more opportunities, we recommend websites such as https://govolunteer.com.au to find them.

Conservation Volunteers Australia - Citizen Science

Want to know more about Australia’s amazing plants and animals? Try a little citizen science with Conservation Volunteers Australia by exploring nature where you live! In-person events, online events, any sort of format to contribute your time in order to help collect research on Australia’s organisms. You can even join challenges, work with a team, and take part in all sorts of projects in your backyard and across Australia! For more information, visit https://conservationvolunteers.com.au/citizen-science/ 

Bayside Toy Library

Wanting to do something hands on and local? The Bayside Toy Library is currently looking for regular volunteers to help them out! This incredible not-for-profit toy lending service provides children with toys they may not otherwise have access to. The job is perfect for anyone willing to lend a helping hand and looking for long-term volunteering opportunities. For more information, visit https://govolunteer.com.au/volunteering/opportunity/216912/volunteer-bayside-toy-library-assistant

St John Youth

St John Youth is a national youth program that commenced in the 1920s, based on the values of St John Ambulance and founded on a strong community focus, it encourages an active role in Service, Community, First Aid and Leadership. St John Youth in Victoria has over 500 youth members and is led by over 100 Adult Youth Staff in community and school-based divisions. This program provides opportunities for young people from the ages of 12 to 18 years to be involved in a community based First Aid oriented youth program with opportunities to directly contribute to the community through voluntary service delivering First Aid at events. For more information, visit https://www.stjohnvic.com.au/community-programs/st-john-youth/

Uniting 

Volunteering with Uniting means getting involved. They provide a wide variety of volunteering experiences for you to get involved with, making sure you are safe and protected while working in your community. From working with the elderly, at op shops, and many other programs, there is a way for everyone to help and get involved. For more information, visit https://www.unitingvictas.org.au/volunteer/

Country Fire Authority

There is a role for everyone as a CFA volunteer. Not all roles are running into a fire, though you can do that if you’re older than 16 and willing. There are emergency response roles as well as support roles, all-around volunteering or community interactions, media, and more. You can even become a junior volunteer if you’re 11-15 years old where you can learn to become a fire safe citizen. For more information, visit https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/volunteers-careers/volunteer-with-cfa 

Marine Ambassadors

The Marine Ambassadors is an ocean-based group led by Mr Seddon, another environmentally conscious group at our school. The Marine Ambassadors take on a variety of projects regarding what’s going on in Bayside’s waters, with current efforts such as crab-counting down at the beaches. This group also goes on a variety of excursions with diving and research in order to do what they can. If you love our oceans and are interested in learning more, please contact Mr Seddon directly. 

Duke of Ed

If you like volunteer work, making new hobbies, camping, hiking, strengthening relationships with your friends, or contributing to your community, then this opportunity is for you! The Duke of Ed is an incredible organisation that aims to guide young students towards appreciating their community and environment. This highly prestigious award system can go to anyone who puts in the effort and is absolutely recommended for anyone looking to push themselves further. Any award level from the Duke of Ed is viewed positively by any employer, with the effort of being able to organise and achieve one is a feat of its own. If anyone aged 14 or older is interested, please contact either Ms Murphy or Ms Zhou. 

Contact Information

More information on these is soon to come, we promise you that, but if you have any immediate questions or ideas for projects, we highly encourage you to join us at our next meeting! 

The Climate Action Team

Dino M, Jack F, Eve D (Year 12 students) and Ms MacGregor