Sustainability __________________________________Page

With a growing awareness of human impact on the natural world, it has been heartening to see an increasing number of students rising to the challenge to take action on environmental issues, with a total of 49 members in our Sustainability Leadership Team this year. There have been a wide variety of initiatives and activities undertaken this year including: introduction of “EWaste”, implementation of new sustainable garden beds, bicycle collection and participation in the National Ride to School Day, Clean Up Australia Day and National Tree Planting Day.

COSTA GEORGIADIS “PADDOCK TO PLATE” EVENT

In collaboration with Clonard College, SJC hosted a visit from Costa Georgiadis at Westcourt campus on 2 February. Costa’s presentation on food security and living sustainably was captivating and engaging, leaving the audience inspired to do more. Guests had the opportunity to talk to Costa as they conducted a tour through the Clonard and Westcourt veggie gardens. Planet Green students utilised their outdoor pizza oven to cook up a storm, treating guests to slow cooked lamb souvlaki, garnished with tomatoes and herbs harvested straight from the garden.

TIM SILVERWOOD “TAKE 3” FOR THE SEA

Tim Silverwood visited St Joseph’s on 18 February, to discuss the importance of recycling with our Year 7 and 8 cohort and promote the “Take 3 for the Sea” initiative. Tim captivated his audience with an informative and inspired discussion on the environment and in particular, recycling and reducing plastics from the oceans. SJC has adopted the “Take 3” initiative, followed by a video competition. The standard of entries was outstanding. Congratulations to William Baum, Year 7 for attaining first place, Lachlan Demasi, Year 7, for second place and Aidan McLeod, Year 8 for attaining third place.

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY WORKSHOP

On 3 March, eighty Grade 3 and 4 students from Fyans Park Primary School, participated in a hands on “Alternative Energy” workshop at SJC. This included three activities, incorporating power generation on our electromagnetic bikes, analysis of power consumption of various lights and appliances and a classroom energy calculation exercise.

RENEWABLE ENERGY AT WESTCOURT

Combining innovation with energy conservation, Principal Mr Paul Tobias took action on 16 May, leading the way toward a

more sustainable future by creating renewable energy on our “Future Spark” bikes, to “power up” a laptop, integral to running the Westcourt gathering. Campus director Mr Michael Wrigley, was also quick to jump on board, allowing students to utilise the bikes to re-charge student laptops during lunchtimes. The bikes were subsequently utilised to “drive” the “Pedal Powered” 15 Word Film Festival at Westcourt.

PRE-LOVED BIKE COLLECTION

On 3 June, students assisted Mr John Mc Kinnin (Corio Norlane Lions Club) to load up the first instalment of pre-loved bikes, to be upgraded and gifted to local community groups and individuals. Since April 2015, over 400 bicycles have been donated by the club, providing lifetime memories for their new riders.

Kelly Jenkins - Sustainability Coordinator

Resourcesmart Resourcesmart Awards Awards WASTE AUDIT REVIEW On 15 July, six students went to the Ariston Child Care facility to conduct a Waste audit. We went from room to room and analysed their recycling Westcourt Future Westcourt Future initiatives already in place. After we viewed each Spark Bikes Spark Bikes area, we provided staff at Ariston with ideas on how they could reduce their waste even further.

- Harrison Salmon, 7I EXCURSION TO GDP INDUSTRIES & NORTH GEELONG RESOURCE RECOVERY CENTRE

At GDP Industries we met manager Tai who took us around the building showing us what they recycle, pull apart or strip. We saw E-waste, polystyrene recycling and wool recycling. At the transfer station Fyans Park Visit Fyans Park Visit we were given a tour by staff member Dave, who showed us all the unused, recyclable items. We saw items that we didn’t know could be recycled that were put in to different categories/bins. A great trip!

- Riley Whitefield & Kai Tracey, Year 7 TREE PLANTING DAY

On 3 August, our Sustainability Leaders and Year 11 Environmental Science class participated in a tree planting activity with the Friends of Waurn Ponds creek. The tree planting gods put on a cracking day as we made the journey to join a hoard of children from various schools who were jumping with contagious enthusiasm to get their hands dirty. We planted an impressive 750 plants in 30 minutes. The children were still hungry for more, inspiring the older generation by their can do attitude to look after our environment and save the Yarra pigmy perch.

- Xandar Harrison, Year 12

Tree planting day Tree planting day