BURROWING CRAYFISH 

“What work do they do?” was a question almost missed. A prep girl had waited patiently to ask this question, and when asked, it became the most meaningful one. 

We have just found out that we have our own special burrowing crayfish. Apparently its limited to our small area of the Dandenong Ranges and if you were to head up the hill any further to Ferny Creek, Sassafras or even Kallista you will find a completely different species there. These special little crustaceans are different to yabbies, which spend the majority of their time in the water. Our crayfish burrow on the banks of water sources and will draw from their water from the soil near their burrows. They are a protected species and we are doing what we can here at BHCS to keep them safe.

Recently, in the process of preparing our new building site, BHCS has contracted ecologists, to move our protected burrowing crayfish from the site, finding them new homes near the creek. A class of Preppies and I were blessed to connect with these ecologists when they were in the process of finding a new home for two female crayfish. These ecologists were only too pleased to have 20 preps in tow, as they introduced the crayfish to their new burrows.

The Ecologist answered all the preps questions with precision and when it came to “What work do they do?” he unveiled lovely truths about what part these small animals play in our local ecocommunity. Apparently their burrowing aerates the soil for plants to grow effectively in. More than that, important biomes in the soil a brought up to the surface by these crayfish burrowing so that the organic matter can be broken down and be put back into the soil. This is a natural fertilzing system.

When we ask ourselves, “what work do we do?” We could answer simply that we at BHCS are involved in the business of education. But there is a common belief amongst our community that we are much more than that. We like these crayfish are preparing the metaphoric soil for future minds and hearts to grow into young people who will impact the world positively. We as teachers and staff are embedding in our lessons values and thoughts that will empower students to want to make a difference in the lives of others and make positive change. In essence we show them the things that Jesus taught us about community, so that they can show Jesus’ love to others and in doing so being a natural fertilzer to those around them. Jesus sums this up in his famous words Mark 12. “Love the Lord your neighbour as yourself”