2022 | Issue 1 | Sustainability News

TERM 1 - UPCOMING EVENTS

Every day CUT THE WRAP

Friday 17 February “Take 3” launch (Edmund Rice Campus)

Monday 21 February “Take 3” launch (Westcourt Campus)

Tuesday 1 March Enviroservice (3:30pm-5:30pm)

Friday 4 March “30 for 30” Challenge, Schools Clean Up Day

Wednesday 9 March Service Learning – Painting Sustainable Cubbies (P5&6)

Sunday 6 March Clean Up Australia Day

Wednesday 16 March Enviroservice (3:30pm – 5:30pm)

Wednesday 23 March Service Learning –Retrofitting Sustainable Cubbies (P5&6)

Friday 25 March National Ride to School Day

Saturday 26 March Earth Hour 8:30pm-9:30pm (Global event)

Tuesday 29 March SJC “Switch Off” hour – Time TBC

PROGRESS DURING THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS

As restrictions lifted, the Christmas holidays were not only a time for much-needed relaxing and catching up with family, it was also a productive time behind the scenes, both for recycling and growth of new plants, forming part of various revegetation projects around the school. During the holiday period, 155 Bras (collected on Mother’s Day 2021) were sent to Mau Village (near Suva), Viti Levu (Fiji). A 240L (equivalent) of craft materials were donated to Urban Upcycle for use in Crafting workshops throughout 2022 and a 60L (equivalent) of recycled batteries were recycled through Battery World, Newtown. A 600L (equivalent) of soft plastic was also accumulated for recycling at a local Coles supermarket. Most of the indigenous flora species planted throughout 2021, survived the hot summer days, as a result of intermittent storms, and progress was made on the Sustainable Cubby project, to be assembled adjacent to the Edmund Rice Campus Heritage Centre, throughout Term 1. I would like to thank all families that made a conscious decision to donate pre-loved items in support of our recycling initiatives throughout the 2021 school year and welcome continued support throughout 2022.

"TAKE 3 FOR THE SEA" LAUNCH

During lunchtime on Friday 17 February at the Edmund Rice Campus and the following Monday 21 February at the Westcourt Campus, the annual “Take 3" (for the Sea) competition will be launched. Students caught on camera “Taking 3” by picking up three pieces of rubbish from the College grounds, recycling items responsibly and conducting the “Take 3 salute” will be awarded an on-the-spot prize!

CUT THE WRAP

All families are encouraged to support our “CUT THE WRAP” initiative (in alignment with our COVID safe procedures) by adopting a wrap free approach to making lunches every day, in a bid to help reduce waste in our school grounds. We would like to thank all families that have already adopted the “CUT THE WRAP” approach to making lunches to date and we strongly encourage new families to send their sons to school with a wrap free lunch and a re-useable water bottle.

SUSTAINABILITY LEADERSHIP

As the global population rises annually and there is an increased demand on resources, the need to develop strategies to live more sustainably and lower our carbon footprint becomes more prevalent.

If you are passionate about the environment, would like to develop your leadership skills, and have a significant influence in driving sustainable practices within the school, then Sustainability Leadership may be for you. During the coming weeks, we will be seeking one to two representatives from each Year 7 Homeroom to join the team. New team members from other levels are also welcome! Interested students are encouraged to complete the online application via the link below.

SUSTAINABILITY LEADERSHIP APPLICATION:

Sustainability Leadership Application

Click the link above to visit the Sustainability Page on the College website which includes an application form for those interested in joining the Sustainability team! Scheduled meetings will alternate between campuses. Further details pertaining to each Sustainability events will be published in the school bulletin.

ENVIROSERVICE

Enviroservice (Service to the Environment) is a wonderful opportunity for students to conduct their Service Learning hours, whilst enjoying the outdoors and learning more about the environment at the same time. Over recent years, our efforts have been concentrated on the Carey Oval Revegetation Project, planting both endemic native species and indigenous species around the embankments and maintaining the garden beds. Commencing in 2017, to date over 700 trees shrubs and grasses have been planted on the embankments. The Term 1 Enviroservice is scheduled for Monday 15 March from 3:30pm - 5:30pm at the Edmund Rice Campus. Students interested in attending must apply via email at: [email protected] by Tuesday 23 February.

The Term 1 Enviroservice is scheduled for Monday 15 March from 3:30pm - 5:30pm at the Edmund Rice Campus. Students interested in attending must apply via email at: [email protected] by Tuesday 23 February.

COMMUNITY NOTICES

PLASTIC BOTTLE TOPS WANTED - NUMBERS 2 AND 4 ONLY

We encourage all families to collect plastic bottle tops and other polymer containers with numbers 2 or 4, in support of our VCAL student’s 2022 recycling projects. We are specifically seeking items with clearly identified numbers 2 or 4 only. Donations of washed bottle tops only may be delivered to the Reception area of either campus.

RECYCLING OTHER ITEMS

The City of Greater Geelong continue to launch new recycling initiatives, to support residents to recycle more efficiently. There are many opportunities for everyday household items to be recycled as an alternative to ending up in land fill. Items that may be recycling include; food waste, mattresses, polystyrene and E-Waste.

For more information regarding items that may be recycled and Recycling Resource Centres in the Geelong region, visit the following website:

https://www.geelongaustralia.c...