Sustainability

St Columba's wins Victorian Schools Garden Grant

This term St Columba’s was thrilled to learn that its application for a Victorian School Garden Program Grant was successful.  

In a year when a record-breaking 450+ applications were received under the VSGA grant program, St Columba’s was awarded the Catholic Education School Garden Makeover Grant of $1000.

The grant will be put towards the purchase of plants for the new “Nature Play Studio and Retreat” area to be developed in and around the existing cubby structure on campus.  The new plants will be Australian natives, with a focus on plants from the Elwood area, selected for their value for nature play (e.g. gum nuts, seed pods, flowers, bark textures) and also their habitat value. 

It is hoped that the new Nature Play Studio and Retreat will provide opportunities for students to:

• explore the importance of indigenous, native plants for providing habitat and food for native wildlife.
• learn how to plant, take responsibility for, and care for native flora and fauna
• observe the local wildlife through play-based learning experiences
• monitor and study the impact of the space on campus biodiversity numbers
• reflect on how being immersed in nature can be beneficial for improved wellbeing and mental health outcomes
• learn about sustainability and other curriculum areas in an authentic outdoor learning space.

COVID restrictions permitting, in the coming months, the St Columba’s parent Green Team will be calling for volunteers to help set up and plant out the space.