Rebuilding local waterways

Wattle Glen Primary School

By Elizabeth Sulewski, Teacher

Background

On August 20 the whole school community teamed up once again with the Watery Gully Creek Reserve Committee of Management to help rebuild two new sections of the local waterway with mulch and native, drought-resistant plants. Throughout the years, we have enjoyed helping the community by planting trees at the creek. Experiencing firsthand the impact our past planting has had on the creek was a very meaningful experience for the students and it is clear they would like to continue this activity for years to come.

Aims of the event

The aim was for students to be engaged in a community-based activity and understand the importance of working together to help sustain the local environment and waterway. Also, the activity gave students the opportunity to refine their values and responsibilities, as citizens, towards the environment and community.

Event preparation

We teamed up again with the Watery Gully Creek Reserve Committee of Management to assist us in rebuilding the waterway. They provided five community members to support and supervise the planting. They also organised to provide the mulch, plants, stakes, mallets and plastic surrounding for the day. Wattle Glen Primary School was to provide the buckets, spades, shovels, rakes and gloves for the community to use in rebuilding the areas. Invitations to the community, along with information on the day, were provided through Wattle Glen Primary School's newsletter in the two issues leading up to the event and on our school community notice board. A timetable was set up where the school would break into two groups; the first group, grade 6 with their Prep/1 buddies from 9:30-11, and grade 4/5 with the grade 2/3 from 11:30-12:45. The community was invited to join at any time and all who participated walked to the creek as a group.

The implementation of the event

Five members of the Watery Gully Creek Reserve Committee of Management participated, along with Wattle Glen Primary school's students, teachers, principal and parents. Our School Cluster Leader attended the event and the local paper, the Diamond Valley Leader, sent a photographer to capture the event for the upcoming issue.

Student outcomes and evaluation

Students reflected on their experience at Watery Gully and were evaluated by their understanding of the importance of helping the local community. Each year level completed a variety of literacy activities on the event and the grades that participated in the last planting were very proud to witness the growth and positive impact they have had on the community.

Feedback

Student feedback was very positive, especially from the grade 6. When walking by the area they planted two years ago, they were amazed and proud of the transformation. Also, they benefited from working as leaders with their buddies (grade Prep/1s) and it reminded them of the enjoyable experience they had working with the grade 6s in the past (2005).

Watery Gully Creek Reserve Committee of Management wrote:

What a good day yesterday: perfect weather and we got a lot done. Have had good feed-back from 'my' people helping on the day, saying that it has been a positive and enjoyable experience.

Hope the children enjoyed themselves - am encouraged by Tristan's comment that he used to think planting days were a bit boring, but he actually quite enjoyed the day yesterday. Also hope that when they pass the Reserve that they will feel proud and good about themselves for what they have contributed to it and for making a real difference.

Please convey to the children, teachers and parents our appreciation.

Conclusion

This term's theme has been 'Our Environment- Managing Sustainable Environments' and the students have been relating their experiences to the main question, 'What is our responsibility towards our environment?'. This week's activities of preparing for planting, rebuilding and reflecting on our progress was very beneficial to students and the community. Students were able to 'Take Action' and complete a community-based project that was not only meaningful to them, but helped them gain a solid understanding of the importance of a sustainable future.  Students reflected and refined their responsibilities and values, realizing they can make a positive impact on the environment not only as individuals but as a community.