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TRANSCRIPT
Cross Curriculum Priorities: Part 1
Welcome to the June edition of news from the Cross Curriculum Coach. This month’s news comes in
three parts because so much has been happening!
The Australian Curriculum identifies three cross curriculum priorities:
Sustainability
Aboriginal Cultures and Histories
Australia’s Engagement with Asia
United Nations Environmental School Award
Our 360 Tonnes of Impact: Thinking globally &
acting locally project was selected as the winner in
the 2015 United Nations Association of Australia
World Environmental Day Awards, in the
Environmental School Award category. This
award was achieved despite strong competition
from other sustainable schools across Australia.
Winning this Award is an impressive achievement
– your achievement! We won because of all the
wastewise, waterwise, travelsmart, energysmart
and planting actions taken by students, staff,
parents and volunteers at our school. Thank you
and many congratulations for winning this award!
Sustainability
Achieving Progress on our 200 Tonne Plan
The 200 Tonne Plan is a project to reduce emissions of Greenhouse Gases to the atmosphere by 200
tonnes. This Plan was a component of the United Nations Association of Australia World
Environmental Day Award mentioned previously.
The Upside Down Thermometer represents our 200 Tonne Plan. Each can on the thermometer
represents 20 tonnes of Greenhouse Gases. As shown in the following photos, cans are removed
from the thermometer at assemblies as we demonstrate progress towards our 200 tonne target.
We are reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by:
School solar panels
Solar lanterns for our Solar Sister schools in Uganda
Tree planting
Composting and worm farming
Recycling paper and cardboard
Recycling aluminium cans, batteries and tooth care products
Recycling lawn clippings and coffee grounds
Using water from our rainwater tanks
Joining the Walking School Bus and supporting TravelSmart days
These actions help us to achieve our target … and move us closer to becoming a carbon positive
school, our ultimate goal! 20 boya notes will be printed to reward progress on the 200 Tonne Plan.
Currently, 1, 5 and 10 boya notes are circulating in our community, reflecting our previous
greenhouse gas emission reduction plans. Boyas can be used at our garden stalls, the canteen and
some shops. Please support our 200 Tonne Plan!
Eco Footprint
1. Biodiversity Action:
Our Garden Gurus
Year 4 (Rm 3) and Year 2 children (Rms 8
& 9) have been busy in the garden. They
prepared their beds recently and
planted a wide range of vegies and
herbs.
Tomatoes, carrots, silverbeet, coriander
and basil will be thriving here …
Mildew Mania
Growing barley for Curtin University’s Mildew Mania research project is underway again this
year. Year 1 students are working on this project by planting different varieties of barley.
They will examine the barley leaves for evidence of mildew infestation. In term 3 our
students will use microscopes to observe the leaves. Leaf samples will also be posted to
Curtin University for detailed analysis.
River Rangers
Bat Boxes
An environmental consultant, Joe Tonga, conducted bat box workshops with our Year 6 and 4
students (Rms 7, 5 & 3). The students learnt about the importance of bats in our ecosystem. This
unit of work was part of their Technology and Science studies. Students examined the properties of
different materials used in the construction of the boxes, as well as reviewed the stages in the
design process. The bat boxes were installed in our bushland and near the Kwobadarn.
Bushland Research
Year 6 students are continuing their research, regularly monitoring their bushland quadrats,
observing and photographing the impact of the January fire.
The students photographed and researched topics of interest related to the bushland this month.
These work samples, together with poetry and stories about the bushland, are being compiled into a
book on the bushland. The book will be completed in Term 3. This book project demonstrates how
the Sustainability and Aboriginal Cross Curriculum Priorities are embedded into Literacy, Science and
Geography.
Fauna Release
The River Rangers participated in a fauna release at
the Perth Cultural Centre (PCC) Wetlands.
Students conducted water quality testing of the PCC
wetlands water and water from a nearby natural
wetlands system.
They reported on their findings … there was a lack of
biodiversity in the PCC wetlands, which indicated the
need for the fauna release. They released frogs, fish and
macroinvertebrates.
Frog workshops were also conducted, providing opportunities for
the students to learn about the fifteen different species of frog
living around Perth.
Bush Rangers Visit
The Mount Lawley Senior
High School (MLSHS)
Bush Rangers visited our
school to participate in
community service. They
weeded, then covered an
area of the bushland with
mulch to control weed
infestation.
Many thanks to all these hard working Bush Rangers!
Our River Rangers have the opportunity to join these Bush Rangers in Year 7, if they attend MLSHS.
Garden Stall
The fortnightly garden stall is going strong. Over $300 has been raised
this year to support sustainability
initiatives at our school. Thank you for
your support.
Decorative Wheelbarrow
Year 2 (Room 8) students prepared an old wheelbarrow for planting. They
planted pansies and snap dragons and displayed the colourful wheelbarrow near
their room.
Students watering their newly planted flowers…
Please view Cross Curriculum Priorities: Part 2
for further June news!