Sustainabilty News

Outdoor Learning equipment

We have received our first shipment of the equipment we have ordered to restock our Outdoor Learning shed. The shed was last stocked in 2021 when our Nature play area first opened and was sorely in need of an upgrade. Thanks to the WSPS Fundraising Committee’s fabulous Movie night in March, because of you and our community, we have been able to buy much-needed equipment to support our Outdoor learning program. So far, we have chalk and dusters, water paints and brushes, connecting tubes, two big new class-sized mats made from recycled plastic, a class set of wooden clipboards, two giant Connect Four sets, and two giant Jenga sets. Plus, some bamboo boxes to keep all of it neat, tidy, and together. THANK YOU, Wales Street families!!!

Biodiversity audit

On Wednesday, Bella our Resource Smart school facilitator, came to Wales Street Primary School and helped us to do a biodiversity audit on our school. Biodiversity is also known as biological diversity, which means it refers to all the different types of life on earth. This includes all plants, animals, microorganisms and the ecosystems they form. Biodiversity, is very important for human well-being and the health of the planet. It provides essential services like clean air and water, fertile soil, food, medicine, and also helps to defend against climate change.

We were placed in groups, and the topic we were given was to do with animals. We were asked to point out as many different animal species that we could spot on school grounds. We listed nineteen different species of animals.

After the audit, Bella asked us to put all the different groups’ data together. She also asked us questions about other extra things we might have, such as a rain garden or frog bog. She then calculated an overall score. Wales Street received a score of 84%, which is a really good score!

The Sustainability group then brainstormed a list of things we would like to work on to make our score even better, such as an edible garden, insect houses, a wetland or bird bath, a frog bog, and more fruit trees. 

By Jessica 5D and Isabella 5C

Terracycle soft plastics recycling

Did you know that soft plastics can be recycled for free through Terracycle? Just sign up for an account and use any cardboard box to collect your soft plastics. When the box is full print off a free delivery sticker and send off to Terracycle. You can find out more using the link here: https://www.terracycle.com/en-AU/brigades/glad-recycling-au?viewPDOInfo=false#@-25.274398:133.775136zoom:4

Wales Street now has an account and soft plastics from our school can now be sent free of charge thanks to Glad’s food carefree recycling program. 

Tree project

Our little seedlings are getting bigger and I will shortly be thinning them out and transplanting them to ensure we have enough to give to Tree project. We may also have enough to supplement planting at school or selling to our community to raise money for other Sustainability group projects. If anyone has any black seedling tubes (12 cm long) at home they could spare, we would be very grateful!