Going green - Enviro Week

Climate action on campus

Enviro Week was a great success based on participation and goodwill, thank you to all of Green Team and friends both within our school and the wider community who contributed to the program. May the pictures speak for themselves with activities including Bee hotel making led by Marco Bellemo, the super bake sale raising funds for the revegetation of Merri creek, the Merri Creek clean up and discussions led by climate action campaigner Adrian Whitehead, extinction rebellion representatives, Di Stanley of local sustainable “Boomerang bags” and local artist Heather Hesterman.

With projects titled “Sky Project”, Rising waters” and “Slow melt” local artist Heather Hesterman inspired our Art of Revolution students discussing the impact of climate change and the use of art as an agent for change. Hestermans work explores the science of climate change and our relationship with the landscape through printmaking, mixed media and installation. Her work was recently shown in the “climate + art = change 2019 festival”. We are so grateful for her time, see more at www.heatherhesterman.com. 

After the success and enthusiasm of our first Merri Creek clean up, the second one was held as part of Enviro week. Green team and friends braved the mud and got right into the the clean up which included the smallest pieces of plastics, to cans, credit cards, bottles and even a wet blanket and mattress. With all hands on deck many bags were filled and emptied into the school skip. Many students have asked for another one which is encouraging. It was a wonderful effort, well done to all whom participated!

Among the many events students also had the opportunity to make and take home their very own Bee Hotels, which will help to provide crucial habitat for Australia’s many indigenous solitary bees which need our help.

The film screening of the ‘Sea of Life’ documentary was another activity that informed students about the threats to marine ecosystems but also the solutions required to solve the growing issue of the collapsing ocean ecosystems. The film was followed by a speech and discussion with an environmental advocate and activist from the Climate Save Movement.

The week ended with a Bake Sale to raise funds for revegetation projects and we thank everyone who helped us.

We are especially grateful to all our special guests who took time away from their work to inspire our students.

Remember that if you want to join the Green Team we meet every Monday lunch in C1, and follow @greenteam.nhs on Instagram and Facebook.

Paula Andreovski, Green Team co-convenor

Marco Bellemo, 12D