Junior School

Young Climate Activists from Eltham High School Participate in Edendale Farm Event

On Thursday 31 August, five of our Year 7 students – Allison Carter (Year 7, Everard House) (Year 7, Everard House), Duncan Heerkens (Year 7, Rutter House), Emily Johnson (Year 7, Rutter House), Sage Twyman (Year 7, Everard House), and Mollie McBride (Year 7, Andrew House) – took part in a climate action event at Edendale Farm. The event, organised as part of the "Kids Teaching Kids" initiative, brought together students from various local schools to share the innovative responses to environmental issues being implemented at their own schools. 

The event proved to be an inspiring and enlightening experience for students, who actively participated in engaging workshops and absorbed insightful presentations from their peers. The presentation given by our young people focused on a pertinent and urgent topic: the far-reaching impacts of fast fashion on our planet.

The young activists eloquently detailed the detrimental effects of the fast fashion industry on the environment, including excessive waste, pollution, and unsustainable consumption patterns. One of the innovative solutions presented was the STEAM upcycling workshop that Year 7 students had recently participated in at EHS. The workshop, aimed at promoting sustainable practices and creative thinking, resulted in the creation of a variety of impressive items made from donated materials, with one standout piece known as "The Pen Glove". 

Furthermore, Eltham High students have taken their commitment to sustainability beyond the classroom by launching a shoe drive. The initiative encourages students, staff, and the wider community to contribute any shoes they no longer wear. Shoes still in good condition will be donated to those in need. For shoes that are no longer able to be worn, the school will recycle these via "Tread Lightly," a national recycling program dedicated to giving unwanted sport and active lifestyle footwear a second chance. Through responsible recycling practices, this program ensures that old shoes are transformed into new resources, diverting them from landfills and minimising their environmental impact.

We encourage you to bring any old shoes you have lying around at home and place them in the donation box in the Assistant Principal's Office by 15 September. 

LAUREN MCNALLY, Junior School Coordinator