Learning and Teaching

Green Team News

It was a busy day for the Green Team last Friday. They began by practising their Assembly presentation. The students were enthusiastic to share their experiences as members of the Green Team and spoke with confidence in front of their peers.

Next, the team planted a new round of vegetable and herb seedlings in the garden beds. These included eggplant, corn, cucumber, three varieties of capsicum, basil and coriander. They also replaced several pumpkin seedlings that had not survived from a previous planting. This time, they planted three different varieties: jap, butternut and kent. Fortunately, the Queensland Blue pumpkins planted earlier were thriving, and the students are hopeful for a bountiful pumpkin harvest next year.

To finish the day, the students planted two dozen sunflower seedlings they had successfully grown from seed. They were delighted to see how quickly the seeds had germinated and were ready for planting in Brendan’s Garden. If all goes well, the sunflowers should bloom in 10 to 14 weeks—just in time for early first term.

Here are some photos of the students planting the seedlings.

Green Team Assembly

Isea icare Workshop 4- Dolphin Research Institute, Hastings

On Wednesday 19 November, the isea icare Ambassadors attended their final workshop for the year. We met at the Dolphin Research Institute in Hastings, along with students from three other Peninsula schools. After a warm welcome, we split into two groups to begin the day’s activities.

Our first session was an Indigenous cultural workshop delivered by Living Culture. Hudson, a First Nations presenter, spoke about how the Traditional Owners lived along the coast and showed us a range of tools, including boomerangs, a nulla-nulla (traditional club), possum skin cloaks, and different types of stones such as basalt. Hudson also demonstrated traditional fire-making using a special wooden spindle and base. We worked with Ambassadors from the other schools to try the technique ourselves, but unfortunately none of us managed to spark a flame!

After a short break—with Mrs Coggin’s famous caramel slice, of course—we joined Park Rangers from Naturelinks for a flora and fauna walk. They explained how mangroves help protect the coastline, and we observed the plants and animals that live within this important habitat. We also learnt about local native species such as possums, bats, sugar gliders, echidnas and various bird species, and discovered how rangers support their survival through nesting boxes and by keeping the area dog-free.

We finished the day with lunch on the lawn outside the Dolphin Research Centre, enjoying the beautiful sunshine. Ellie, the Education Leader for isea icare, treated us to fresh fruit, lamingtons and donuts, which were very much appreciated. She then thanked us for our efforts as isea icare Ambassadors this year and presented each of us with a certificate.

Overall, it was an engaging and educational day, made even more special by the inspiring leaders and the unique marine setting.