Sustainability
Wednesday 11 February 2009
Sustainability is one of the most important parts of our informal curriculum and our Environment Club (meeting for the first time this year during lunchtime this Friday) is a key component of our work in this area. In 2009 we are hoping to become a Four Star Sustainable School, as we focus on the area of Biodiversity.
Following is a piece written by Philippa Symon, Environment Captain for today’s Blog:
2009 is already upon us, marking a new year for the St Catherine’s Environment Club and its initiatives throughout the school.
This year, a central aim is to increase student participation and interest in the School’s environmental action, especially within the younger year levels. This will involve the promotion of environmental issues through initiatives such as the World Environment Day Assembly and our continued participation in national programs including Schools Clean Up Day and Schools Tree Planting Day. It is also hoped that through educating the girls, we can broaden ‘green habits’ from the School environment to students’ households.
Another specific goal for the year is to raise funds for a chosen organisation which is ecologically proactive in both the national and global community. This will involve the Club holding an event or program which will include and engage the entire School.
The Environment Club also wishes to collaborate across the School’s Faculty areas, to encourage them to further endorse our environmental approach. For instance, in cooperation with the Art Department, mosaics depicting our ecosystems are planned for the School grounds and will be designed and created by the girls.
Of course, we aim to continue to improve St Catherine’s Sustainable Schools rating by reducing water and energy consumption where possible. Recycling will continue to be a major priority, with the hope of improving awareness and accessibility. Girls will also continue to be involved in the various planting programs within the School, providing sustainable and drought-proof gardens.
2009 is shaping up to be a busy and hopefully successful year environmentally for the School. The issue is more pressing then ever before and recent worldwide weather patterns make ignoring climate change impossible.