Issue 17 | 2021

Term 4 Upcoming Events

18 -24 October National Water Week

22-28 October National Enviroweek

8-14 November National Recycling Week

10 November National Ride 2 Work Day

21 November World Fisheries Day

National Enviroweek

As the nation celebrates National Enviroweek this week, it is a pertinent time for us to reflect on the wonderful opportunities the year to date has provided in enabling us to take a little time each day to literally “smell the roses” or take a walk along a local river or nature reserve. With a lower density of traffic, the increased number of indigenous bird species viewed on the Campus has been encouraging. In addition, the weather conditions resulting from the La Nina, have enabled the planting of flora species to continue throughout Semester 2. Over the past fortnight, several classes have been productive with various ecological endeavours around the College grounds. Year 11 Outdoor Education students completed weeding/mulching of Gate 5 garden beds and maintenance/tree planting on sections of the Carey and Aphrasia oval embankments. Vita students planted herbs in the Edmund Rice Campus Veggie Patch, Year 7 students created Terrariums and Year 11 VCAL students have been industrious creating Kokedamas.

Terrarium Workshops

To celebrate Enviroweek, on Monday 25 October, several Year 7 students and Sustainability Leaders participated in a Terrarium-making workshop during lunchtime. Using a variety of plants, pebbles, moss and soil, the students worked with great care to create their masterpieces. The completed terrariums will be on display in the staffroom throughout Enviroweek before being taken home by their creators.

Mulching/Tree Planting Projects

Over the past fortnight, Year 11 Outdoor Education classes took to the Edmund Rice Campus grounds with great gusto, conducting weeding, mulching and tree planting across several areas. Facilitated by staff, Mark Rayson, Sam Hughes and Adam Noble, the students commenced with mulching the Gate 5 entrance garden beds, followed by weeding/mulching and tree planting on the south embankment of Carey Oval. Their efforts culminated with the weeding and distribution of 10 metres of mulch on the north embankment of Aphrasia Oval. Collectively, the three classes spread 13 metres of mulch across the garden beds over the course of the week. Species planted on the south embankment of Carey oval incorporated; Australian Bindweed (Convolvulus angustissimus) Common everlasting (Chrysocephalum apiculatum), Running postman (Kennedia prostrata) and Australian tobacco (Nicotiana suaveolens).

In addition, VITA students, together with staff member Elley Heard, have been productive in the Edmund Rice Campus veggie patch this week, planting out a variety of herbs including thyme, basil, and mint.