Issue 15 SJC News 2021

Term 3 Upcoming Events

September -  National Biodiversity month

20-26 September - National Organic Week

22 September - World Car-Free Day

YEAR 10 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE ECOLOGY PROJECTS

In the year of “Living the Golden Rule”, Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si, calls us all to respond to “The cry of the Poor” and “the Cry of the Earth”; to protect our common home for the wellbeing of all.

In response Pope Francis' calling to "Care for our Common Home", our Year 10 Environmental Science Ecology project fosters this notion, by inviting students to learn more about the Natural World through investigation of the native flora on our College grounds and research of the use of native flora species by the First Nations peoples. It is intended that the indigenous flora profiles compiled by students, will be utilised to develop and implement interactive plaques around the college in Term 4.

Click on the link below to view Year 10 student Miles' video of the indigenous flora species: Knotted Club Rush (ficinia nodosa) found on the south embankment of Carey Oval.

My name is Miles and I am currently studying year 10 Environmental Science. This term we have focused on the natural world and the Indigenous flora species in the area used by First Nations People. This involved each student in the class to research a particular native Indigenous plant and present our findings in a short video. For my project I chose to research the Knobby or Knotted Club Rush. In this process I have learned lots of really interesting facts about our local Indigenous ecosystem and particularly the plant I researched. I hope you enjoy my short video on the Knobby or Knotted Club rush.

Miles – Year 10

“OTWAYS” GARDEN REVAMP

Several Year 12 students seized the opportunity whilst back on campus to complete their Service Learning in the form of Enviroservice, assisting with the completion of Stage 2 of the “Otways” inspired garden revamp. Working through their lunch break and after school, the students collectively introduced 38 new plants into the garden, including 20 Tree Ferns and 18 smaller ferns. The species were mostly indigenous, however, with the aim to increase biodiversity, one species from Cape York and two species indigenous to New Zealand have been introduced for comparative studies. Species planted include; Bird’s Nest Fern (Aspleniun nidus), Soft Tree Fern (Dicksonia antarctica). Felina Tree Fern (Cyathea felina) (Indigenous to Cape York), Wheki (Dicksonia squarrosa) and Hen and Chicken Fern (Asplenum Bulbiferum) (Indigenous to New Zealand).