Synergy

Overnewton’s Waa’s Helpers Support Aussie Bird Count for National Bird Week

During National Bird Week 2025, students from Waa’s Helpers took part in the Aussie Bird Count, contributing valuable data to one of Australia’s largest citizen science projects.

Held annually in October and led by BirdLife Australia, the event encourages people across the country to spend time in nature and count local bird species. Waa’s Helpers observed birds around the school grounds, using the official app to log their sightings during 20-minute sessions throughout the week.

“It was exciting to discover how many birds live around our school — we even saw species we hadn’t noticed before,” said one student participant.

Named after Waa, the crow and a key figure in Wurundjeri culture, the group reflects values of environmental care, respect for Country and sustainability.

Through their involvement, students learned how bird populations are indicators of environmental health and how everyday actions can support biodiversity. Their observations will contribute to long-term conservation efforts nationwide.

Waa’s Helpers continue to lead environmental initiatives at Overnewton, promoting awareness of local wildlife and First Nations perspectives throughout the school community.

Garden Update: A Big Thank You to Waa's Helpers at Junior School!

This week in the garden, we’ve had some fantastic progress thanks to our amazing helpers! With the broad beans now ready for harvest, our team has been busy picking them fresh from the vines and they taste delicious!

Alongside this, we’ve been getting our veggies into the ground. Tomatoes, lettuce, and cucumbers have all been planted with care, and we’re looking forward to watching them grow over the coming weeks. These efforts are a great step towards a healthy, thriving garden full of fresh produce.

A huge thank you to everyone who’s rolled up their sleeves and pitched in. Your work makes a real difference!

Stay tuned for more garden updates.