Issue 11 SJC News 2020

TERM 3 - UPCOMING EVENTS

17-23 August - Keep Australia Beautiful week

September - National Biodiversity month

7 September - National Threatened Species Day

7-14 September - National Organic Week

22 September - World Car-Free Day

SCHOOLS TREE DAY AND NATIONAL TREE PLANTING DAY

To celebrate the Schools and National Tree Planting Days for 2020, students have been productive over the past fortnight planting indigenous species around the College.

On Monday 27 July, ATSI Students together with Sustainability Leaders, Senior Student Leaders, and VITA students, Mrs Sue Collins, Mr John Stephenson and Mr Shane Dawson collaborated to plant out our new planter boxes with indigenous food species. With a wonderful display of enthusiasm and teamwork, the planting, mulching and watering was completed in no time at all. The planter boxes were constructed by VET Building and Construction students in 2019 and have recently been sealed stained and had taps included by Maintenance staff. Under the guidance of Mr Shane Dawson, VITA students established "wicking beds" in the base of each of the four planters, using scoria, aggregation pipe, shade cloth and soil. The wicking bed system enables a large body of water to be stored at the base of the planter boxes for plants to draw from, minimising evaporation and creating a more sustainable use of our precious water resource.

REVIEW

Last week, Senior Leaders, Sustainability Leaders, and VITA and ATSI students planted indigenous bushfoods and plant species next to the Careers building. The planting is a symbolic moment for St Joseph's College as it represents a form of reconciliation, acknowledging the cultural, spiritual and natural heritage of Indigenous Australia. Indeed, one species in particular, known as the Yam Daisy (Microseris lanceolata) or ‘Murnong’ was a staple food in the diet of indigenous people. Following colonization and the introduction of European cattle and sheep, the once widespread food crop was devastated. By cultivating this food-crop, which bears many similarities to a potato in European society, St Joseph’s College is helping to assist an age-old cultural and agricultural tradition. Other bushfoods planted on the day include Kangaroo Apple (Solanum laciniatum) which typically grows along riverbanks and colonised disturbed ground, Midyim Berry (Austromyrtus dulcis), Seaberry Saltbush (Rhagodia candolleana), Bower Spinach (Tetragonia implexicoma) and Karkalla (Carpobrotus rosii) which grows in the sand dunes on the coast and has an edible fruit.

Planting these species provides habitat by enhancing ecological diversity and drawing pollinators and birds on to the Campus. It also provides nourishment for the students and staff at the College. These plants yield food thus providing material sustenance and the activity of planting them nourishes students spiritually and culturally. With all that has occurred this year and the focus on student/staff wellbeing, getting into contact with healthy microbes (i.e. getting your hands in the soil) and cultivating some plants might just be the perfect tonic.

Patrick Day - Year 12 Senior Leader

On Tuesday 28 July, several Year 7 Class Captains collaborated with Student Leaders to conduct planting in our Reconciliation garden adjacent to the Arts building. Facilitated by Student Leadership Coordinators Mr Ashley Crook and Mr Sam Querella, students joined our ASTI Coordinator, Mrs Sue Collins to plant Gold Dust Wattle (Acacia Acinacea) and Rock Correa (Correa Glabra) throughout the garden. The vibrant yellow flowers of the Gold Dust Wattle and delicate tubular red and yellow flowers of the Rock Correa, will enhance the garden, providing extra colour, symbolic to both our Indigenous heritage and our College identity.

On Monday 3 August VITA students together with Mr Shane Dawson, continued works on the Carey Embankment Revegetation Project, planting approximately 30 trees including; Gold Dust Wattle (Acacia acinacea) on the north embankment and Lightwood or Hickory Wattle (Acacia Implexa) on the far west embankment.

I would like to thank all students and staff involved our "Tree Day" planting endeavours this term. Such a simple yet important action that we can all undertake for a more sustainable future.

POLYMER RECYCLING CENTRE

Since the launch of the recycling centre in week one this term, it has been heartening to witness the level of interest and support from the community regarding items that may be donated and the opportunities our equipment provides for recycling. Currently we are able to shred, press and reform material into items such as Frisbees, using the vacuum former. Our goal (with funding), is to purchase an Injection Moulding Machine, enabling a far greater array of items to be created.

We encourage families and community members to continue collecting number 2 and 4 plastic containers and bottle tops; however, we request that items remain at home until the College until it reopens.