Green Schools Connect - Stories
Read about some of the Green Schools Connect projects
Homebush West Public School – NSW
In November 2008, Green Schools Connect celebrated its 250th school project at Homebush West Public School. Students, teachers and volunteers helped to build a series of no-dig vegetable gardens within the school grounds. The gardens will also be used by the community and will be filled with foods popular with a range of cultures. The gardens also aim to encourage children in sustainable gardening practices and healthy eating. Channel Ten news weatherman, Tim Bailey was there to help celebrate, with live crosses to the News at 5 bulletin.
Wauchope High School - NSW
The riverbank along the Hastings River at Wauchope has been a focus for agriculture and science students at Wauchope High School for several years, and the offer of some assistance from the Green Schools Connect program came along at exactly the right time. Recent rain, after seemingly years of dry weather, had not only given the native trees and shrubs planted by students a much needed boost, but had also brought on a variety of invasive weeds, which the team from Conservation Volunteers Australia attacked with gusto.
The result was a credit to the team. Not only did the site look a picture, but several self sown native seedlings were discovered, showing that the earlier efforts of the students were starting to pay handsome dividends. Another couple of ‘normal’ seasons and the river bank will have an impressive coverage of native vegetation, providing stability to the bank, and valuable habitat for native birds and animals.
Durack School – NT
The frog pond at the Durack School needed a tidy up and a garden area created for students and parents to enjoy. The school organised construction and ordered materials two days before the Green Schools team was due to arrive. The volunteers were able to help build a raised frog pond and plant native plants in the new frog pond area. All the students were happy to help out, clearing the area, digging holes, raking the soil, planting or barrowing mulch. Everyone was welcome to help. The finished product was simply marvellous!
Belair Schools – SA
In early November, Belair Schools were able to undertake two significant projects to support the schools ongoing environmental programme. With the aid of 20 volunteers over two days and with the help of many school students, an area of the school has been revegetated and regenerated with plants native to the area. This included mulching of the area surrounding the pathway ready for new plantings in autumn. The second project was to install 20 bollards and a fence to protect the garden along our southern fenceline. Brett Darcy, Principal
Eaglehawk Primary School – VIC
We have had a wonderful experience with the Green Schools Connect Program. We appreciated the skills and knowledge of the team leader and the enthusiasm of many of the volunteers. Our prep garden was unattractive and in need of a makeover. The team of volunteers transformed it into a pleasant area for the preps to learn about conservation, sustainability and biodiversity. Eaglehawk Primary School staff and students are excited about our new learning area. A pond is a feature of the garden. It will raise the students awareness of protecting the habitats of animals.
Lyn Maher – Eaglehawk Primary School
Coolnwynpin State School - QLD
The students at Coolnwynpin State School are fortunate to have koala’s living in their school grounds! The school grounds join onto an area of natural bushland that provides a small reserve for the koalas amongst the newly developed housing estates in the area. The school environment group is busy propagating new trees and shrubs and shrubs, weeding and watering to give koalas plenty of food and to make sure they are safe. Volunteers spent two days at the school in August 2007 and planted and mulched over 200 koala food trees – a task that would have taken the school children in the environment club months to complete.
Henbury School – NT
Conservation Volunteers Australia assisted the Henbury school to improve the school environment for children with special needs. The project aimed at creating a place where students with moderate to severe and profound disabilities can relax and have the opportunity to have their senses stimulated by an attractive and inviting environment. Volunteers worked in the garden planting trees and mulching. One student was very pleased with himself at the end of the day as he could say a few French words!
Cannon Hill Anglican College - QLD
Cannon Hill Anglican College is one of the rare schools that can boost that they have their own Wetlands. This is not wasted on the school as they use the wetlands as an educational tool to increase awareness of wetlands and waterways. Once a year they hold a wetlands festival to take their message to a wider audience.
Conservation Volunteers Australia assisted the school by clearing weeds in the Meleleuca planting followed by tree planting with the students. Students studying Japanese and French quickly commandeered a number of Japanese and Belgium volunteers to join their class and proceeded to practice their Japanese and French on the unsuspecting volunteers. The week came to a conclusion with a BBQ with the teachers and students. Thanks to everyone involved.
Pennant Hills War Memorial Children’s Centre - NSW
Our sensory garden has become a reality! Thanks to your generous support the children will have a stimulating and safe space to play and learn.
The Conservation Volunteers team who attended the preschool on Thursday, 20th September provided much needed labour, spreading mulch, painting and completing the planting. They were enthusiastic workers who clearly enjoyed their involvement in our project. This sensory garden could not have been created without the Green Schools Connect project as your involvement and timeline provided the motivation we needed to make this dream a reality. As a not for profit community-based centre it is heartening to realise that with support from the wider community great things can be achieved.
Does this sound like your school?
- Click here to complete the expression of interest form
- Click here to read about the Green Schools Connect program
- Click here for Entry Terms and Conditions and Application Guidelines
- Freecall 1800 032 501 for more information
