2 minute read
Rosmini College
Rosmini College's Envirogroup.
Mangroves mission
On Friday, 13th May members of Rosmini College’s Envirogroup, together with science teacher Mrs Eleanor Snowsill, spent the day clearing away rubbish from around the mangroves near the Akoranga Bus Station.
Mrs Snowsill says the students first suggested doing this task in 2020 but their plans were thwarted both that year and the following by Auckland’s various lockdowns. She continues, “By 2022, the boys said it was getting ridiculous and Mauro Diependaele, the leader of the Envirogroup, said he had a plan and some waders. Year 8 student, Charlie Whelan, a new member, said his dad could fix some hooks to some ropes and so we planned the day.”
Mrs Snowsill concludes, “It was clear when we got there that it was a huge and tricky job as the mud was thick, some students nearly lost
Mauro Diependaele removing a supermarket trolley.
their gumboots, and the trolleys and road signs were stuck fast in the mud. However, it was a very successful day with 14 shopping trolleys, one e-bike, one e-scooter, one bike, five road signs and lots and lots of rubbish cleared from the mangrove. As we left, we saw an eel swim unimpeded down the river.”
And now for the Oscars…
Two Rosmini College Old Boys have been recognised recently for their achievements and, coincidently, both are named Oscar. Firstly, on Friday, 22nd April, Doctor Oscar Lyons, who was Rosmini’s Dux in 2008, received the inaugural Sir George Elliot Fellowship for his achievements in medical science. Oscar graduated in medicine from Auckland University and was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship in 2016 to study at Oxford University. His doctorate at Oxford was on medical leadership.
On Friday, 6th May Oscar Thomas, who graduated from Rosmini in 2018, received the North Harbour Club AIMES Service to the Community Award for his work in wildlife conservation and photography. Oscar has worked tirelessly for bird conservation and he has won numerous awards and scholarships. In October 2020 he published his own book, ‘A Naturalist’s Guide to the Birds of New Zealand’ which sold out in its first month of publication. Oscar is currently studying ecology at Otago University.
