Our Pre Primary and Year 1 students are learning that meaningful change can begin with something as simple as planting a tree and nurturing a connection with Country.
Sustainability and social justice are underpinning features of the Early Years Learning Framework. When we think about caring for the environment, our initial thoughts often turn to recycling. Yet, recycling is just one dimension of sustainability. Social, economic and environmental sustainability are inextricably linked, working together to develop our awareness of community responsibility and deepen our respect for ecology and the ecosystems of the natural world.
As the next generation of leaders, we can advocate for sustainability from an early age. By taking action, we can actively contribute to creating healthy and equitable futures for generations to come. This sense of responsibility connects us to humanity across the globe, as citizenship helps define who we are and our place within the wider community.
At Peter Carnley Anglican Community School, our identity is deeply connected to the nature and bushland that was here before us. Following in the footsteps of the First Peoples is an important focus as we consider how we can care for and conserve our natural environment, including our new native trees.
The Whadjuk Noongar people are the First Horticulturalists and Conservers, having carefully tended Country and managed ecosystems for thousands of years. Working alongside our students, we explored the idea of seeing the Earth not as a commodity, but as a community of living species. Through this complex thinking, we began to consider our own play areas. If ‘plants are truly our friends’, then we needed more trees.
On Monday, 27 July, our Pre Primary and Year 1 students worked alongside our dedicated Grounds Team to take action and make a difference. We began by deep listening to the wildlife around us, spotting birds and mindfully noticing their interactions as they flew through the trees.
We then explored the concept of rewilding through planting trees, making connections between their needs and our own. We planted, watered and nourished our new trees, learning about their features and giving them names so they could become part of our rituals and daily lives.
This was an important step in being present and recognising that we live in symbiosis with nature. Grateful to have made new friends, we walked away knowing that we were more connected to Country, our community and one another and empowered to make a difference.
We proudly welcome Steve, Gary, Bolba, Betsy and 21 other trees to our community.
Lauren Balen
Director of Early Learning