Sustainability

Green Nest Update

Green STEM Takes Learning Beyond the Classroom

This term, our Years 3–6 students have launched into our exciting new Green STEM Specialist Program, combining science, technology, engineering and mathematics with hands-on learning in the Green Nest and our dedicated Green STEM Classroom.

Students have already been busy developing practical skills while helping to improve our outdoor learning spaces. As part of the program, students successfully earned their Wheelbarrow Licence and Tool Licence, demonstrating safe and responsible use of equipment. They put these new skills into action by spreading mulch along the pathways surrounding our chook house and guinea pig enclosure. Students have now begun mulching the main driveway leading to the horse paddock, helping create safer, more accessible pathways throughout the Green Nest.

Our Year 3 and 4 students have been exploring the importance of biodiversity through their learning about frog bogs. They have investigated the habitat needs of frogs, the role wetlands play in supporting local wildlife, and how creating frog-friendly environments can improve biodiversity within our school grounds.

Meanwhile, our Year 5 and 6 students have commenced their highly anticipated cooking program, embracing the full "paddock to plate" experience. Students have been learning how food is grown, harvested, prepared and shared. They have already made pizza and pasta dough from scratch and used fresh produce from our garden to create delicious pizzas, focaccia, salads and pasta dishes.

As part of the program, students transformed the Green STEM classroom into their very own café experience. Students took on a range of roles, including chefs, kitchen hands, and wait staff, developing valuable teamwork, communication and hospitality skills. During one session, students proudly welcomed our Principal, Mrs Julie Ladd, as a special guest. They served meals they had prepared themselves and demonstrated the knowledge and skills they have developed throughout the program.

At the end of each cooking session, students gather together to enjoy the meals they have created, reflecting on the journey from garden to plate. These shared meals provide an opportunity to celebrate their achievements, discuss sustainable food production and build confidence in preparing healthy, nutritious food. The program continues to be a highlight for many students, fostering independence, responsibility and a deeper understanding of where their food comes from.

The Green STEM Program provides students with authentic, real-world learning experiences that build practical life skills, encourage teamwork and foster environmental stewardship. By connecting classroom learning with hands-on experiences in the Green Nest, students are developing a deeper understanding of sustainability, food production and the natural world around them.

We look forward to sharing more Green STEM adventures and achievements throughout the year as our students continue to learn, create and grow.

What's been going on in Green Magpies this Term?

Resource Smart Schools Focus - Waste

Hello! I'm Riley T,  I'm part of the Green Magpies and I was the 'Breaking news' reporter in the video below. We made this video because we have noticed that there was lots of rubbish going in the wrong bins. We thought making a fun video that could be shown to all the classes, will make sure that everyone knows what goes in the right bin, so there is no confusion. Check out the video below to see how Epsom PS manages our waste! - Riley T

https://canva.link/rpau3c7nevitrib

Junior School Information sessions about Waste Management

At the start of last week, a few Green Magpies went and talked to the Grade 1s, 2s, and Preps about waste management. We taught them what stuff (waste) goes in what bin. All the classes listened really well, but some got a bit silly with the questions at the end. Once we had finished our talks for the week, the Bin Judges told us that the Junior School had a huge improvement in sorting what went in what bin. - Mason C and Quinn M.

Playground Veggie Gardens update

Bin Judges Refresh

Bin Judging is a friendly school competition where the bin judges go to each classroom to assess the bins. The criteria that we mark bins on are smell, presentation and organisation. We take out job very seriously, we are very throughout and not bias (despite what some teachers think!). We do bin judging because we want to maintain our 5- STAR school status through Resource Smart Schools. We are trying to reduce the amount of waste in classrooms and improve sustainability at EPS. - Scarlett B

*The bin award was donated to us by the Bendigo Council.

Term 2 Green Magpies Jobs

Chicken Coop Maintenance - Scarlett, Blair, Flynn, Emily, Sophie, Quinn,  Abbi, Ava S, Elvina and Poppy

Watering out Veggies- Chelsea H and Spencer

Bird baths - Piper K

Chicken Bins - Steph, Carolyn and Paw

Bin Judges - Scarlett B, Summer, Quinn and Katie

Our 2026 Green Magpies

Grade 3 -  Alia G, Summer W, Chelsea H and Poppy M.

Grade 4 - Zara W, Scarlett B, Sophie E, Piper K, Blair D, Caden W, Sara T, Martine S, Emily W, Abbi M and Mila F.

Grade 5 - Riley T, Paw H, Flynn DG, Quinn M and Carolyn W.

Grade 6 - Mason C, Knox M, Chloe W, Emmett J, Katie P, Denny G, Spencer D, Steph B, Ava S and Elvina D.

Teachers - Miss Moore, Miss Aburrow and Mrs Chamings

Regards,

The Green Magpies, Mrs Fullard, Mrs M, Miss Aburrow, Miss Moore and Mrs Chamings.