Quinns Rocks Primary students play with dirt on Schools Tree Day

QUINNS Rocks Primary School was one of several schools taking part in Schools Tree Day last Friday.

Students focused on regenerating bush near the school during the July 28 event, which came two days ahead of Planet Ark’s National Tree Day on July 30.

Teacher David Fernandez said about 90 students from Years 2-5 took part in activities on the day, initially clearing bush and garden areas around the school.

Mr Fernandez said during the afternoon, Year 2 students planted about 30 older trees around the school.

“It’s part of a wider school endeavour to use the 5Rs – reducing, reusing, recycling, relearning and re-educating,” he said.

Mr Fernandez said the school’s efforts to be more sustainable included its Enterprising Kidz program.

“It’s a WA first for primary school children, taking recycled things like bottle tops and making them into fridge magnets,” he said.

“In the process, we study how to become a business.”

Students attended the Youth Innovation Summit 17 during the school holidays, where they presented their project to universities and high schools.

Mr Fernandez said all students also worked in the school’s sustainability garden one day a week.

Planet Ark uses the tree days to encourage people to help plant trees and National Tree Day manager Debbie Agnew said this year’s theme, ‘Be inspired – it’s in our nature’, invited everyone to branch out and find inspiration in the natural environment.

“Spending time in nature elevates the human spirit, and ignites our passion, inspiration, and creativity,” she said.

“Australia has some of the most unique and beautiful natural environments in the world, and participating in National Tree Day in your community, school, workplace or backyard is a great way to connect with nature and do something really positive to support our environment.

“National Tree Day is also an opportunity to help our children develop a lifelong connection to nature, so that they may become the caretakers of the future.

“There are lots of other ways we can build more nature time into a child’s life too, such as taking indoor activities, like meals, homework or devices, outside, walking the dog in a park, or joining an outdoor group such as the Scouts, Guides or Junior Landcare.”

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