Sustainability 

🌿 National Threatened Species Day 🌿

Last term, we celebrated National Threatened Species Day, coming together to recognise the remarkable diversity of life on Earth and the urgent need to conserve and protect species that are at risk of extinction. 

To celebrate, Solway held a scavenger hunt combining learning and fun in the best way possible.  One of the most heartening aspects of the scavenger hunt was how students actively shared their newfound knowledge with one another. It was inspiring to see them engage in discussions about the various species they had learned about. By participating in this event, our students contributed to a brighter future for threatened species. 

We are incredibly proud of our students for their active participation and enthusiasm during the scavenger hunt. It was a terrific way to mark National Threatened Species Day and to reinforce our school's commitment to environmental education and conservation. Well done to the students who were able to find the threatened species around our school!

Important dates in October: 

5– Walktober Commences:

Leave the car at home and try to get in as many walks as you can this Walktober! As the weather is becoming nicer and the days feel longer, there's no better time to embrace the beauty of nature and the many benefits of walking. Whether it's a leisurely stroll through your neighbourhood, a hike in a nearby park, or a walk to school, Walktober is the perfect opportunity to make walking a daily habit.

Why Walk?  Walking isn't just good for our physical health; it's also great for our mental well-being. It's a chance to clear your mind, connect with nature, and reduce stress. Plus, it's an eco-friendly way to get around, reducing your carbon footprint and contributing to a greener planet.

Walking Safely:  Remember to prioritise safety during your walks. Use designated paths and crosswalks when available, wear comfortable footwear, and be mindful of traffic rules. If you're venturing into nature, respect wildlife and follow 'Leave No Trace' principles to preserve our natural spaces.

5–8  Australian Wildlife Week:   Australian Wildlife Week was established by the Society in 2019 and is celebrated across Australia during the first week of October to encourage a positive relationship between humanity and nature.

18-24 – National Bird Week:  The celebration of National Bird Week has its origins back in the early 1900s when 28 October was first designated by the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union, as the first ‘Bird Day’.  BirdLife Australia organises and promotes Bird Week with the goal of inspiring Australians to take action and get involved in bird conservation efforts.

To celebrate you can participate in the Aussie Bird Count 

To complete the Aussie Bird Count, spend 20 minutes standing or sitting in one spot and noting down the birds that you see. You will need to count the number of each species you spot within the 20 minute period. For example, you might see 4 Australian Magpies, 2 Rainbow Lorikeets and a Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo. If you can identify birds by their calls, please include these in your count, but if you aren’t sure of a bird without seeing it, please exclude it rather than making a guess. The Aussie Bird Count app has a handy field-guide to help you identify birds. 

If you would like to register to the bid count you can do so by clicking on the link below

https://aussiebirdcount.org.au/?fbclid=IwAR075K7ue7UyFVPaQ92Mv0KKxQbBdsUoiBFOBtKdxallI9_4xPd29a6LmuI 

18-24 – National Water Week:   The 2023 National Water Week theme is 'United by Water' homologous to the Ozwater’23 theme. It celebrates water's vital role in connecting us all. Water touches every aspect of development. It drives economic growth, supports healthy ecosystems, and is essential and fundamental for life. 

20 – National Ride2Work Day:  Whether you’re a regular two-wheeled commuter or looking to re-start the ritual, National Ride2Work Day is all about supporting and celebrating the many health, wellbeing and environmental benefits riding provides. 

Send in a Sustainability Tip Reminder

We're on a mission to make sustainability simple and impactful, so we would like to introduce this new initiative. Ideally, this will inspire you to make some positive changes in your household or assist others in improving their own. We continue to strive for progress, not perfection and think with your participation we can continue to do better.  

Share your go-to household sustainability tips with us, and let's inspire each other to create positive change! Whether it's a clever way to reduce waste or an energy-saving hack, we want to know. Hopefully we can share some great tips with our community and make this 

📸 Snap a photo showcasing your tip in action, jot down a quick description, and send them to Brooke.Danaher2@education.vic.gov.au. Let's amplify our collective efforts and make a real difference, one practical tip at a time. 

Brooke Danaher

Sustainability Coordinator 🌿 🌿