Garden of Weedin News

The vegetable garden is looking full of winter produce, with students learning how to plant and upkeep the vegetables and orchard. We have begun to cook with the produce in some classes. Take a look at our banana trees as they are full of green bananas. Our chicken coop is a big hit with the addition of a visiting rabbit, guinea pig and silky rooster this term. The animals will go home to my little farm during the holidays.

Our Green Team has been diligently working with the worm farm, compost system, 10c containers scheme and our many other recycling programs. The enthusiasm of these various teams has been fabulous. Just to mention a few of the teams who have named themselves; The Worm Wizards, The Coffee Crew (emptying and recycling coffee pods by material type), Compost Champions and 10c Container Collectors.

After School Garden Club News

The Garden Club had it’s end of term party last Thursday. This fabulous community team has maintained the garden, looked after the chickens and been involved in sustainable activities. Thanks to the 30 odd people who attend. It’s been fabulous to see many parents, grandparents and caregivers involved. Unfortunately, there will be no Garden Club in Term 3 as supporting staff will be on Long Service Leave. Watch this space for the invite in Term 4.

Recycling Programs

Please keep bringing in your 10c containers for change and other recyclables. Take a look at the recycling bins near Room 24 on the oval for what you can bring in. Make sure everything is clean and dry.

Bush Tucker Garden & Habitats for Wildlife Project

JESC students have been planning a Bush Tucker garden this term and the plants arrived for us to plant last week. This is going to be a great learning area for the campus as it ajoins the Yarning Circle and Noongar Seasons wall art. Classes will be able to integrate Noongar traditional seasonal food practices into ‘On Country’ learning opportunities. Metal signs will go up to explain what the edible plant is and it’s uses in cooking and medicine. This area will also serve as new habitat to encourage Honeyeater birds and native bees to visit and set up home. JESC students have been selected to participate in a Habitats for Wildlife joint project with Perth Zoo. This has involved visiting the zoo, surveying our school, planning, planting native flowering shrubs, making bird water stations and native bee homes. Students will then monitor the honeyeaters and bees to see if the habitat they created is successful. The students have also made bird boxes to go up around the school.

Waste Sorted School of the Year Nomination

Our school has been nominated for Waste Sorted School of the Year. This award recognises the effort schools do to reduce their waste footprint. Let’s hope we get into the finals!

Junior Landcarers

Did you know Joondalup Schools have been awarded Junior Landcarer status? This means the actions we do around the school and in our classrooms for the environment and sustainability is recognised as making a significant different to waste reduction and enhancing our biodiversity.

Happy gardening and recycling,

Sandra Bennett – Environment & Sustainability Teacher