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26 May 2025

​©Brisbane Catholic Education, St Augustine’s Parish Primary School, Currumbin Waters (2025)​

​As Laudato Si' Week (24 to 31 May) invites Catholics from around the world to reflect on how we 'Care for Our Common Home,' one school on the Gold Coast is digging deep to grow a brighter future.

Laudato Si' in action

From harvesting food gardens and exploring insect life cycles to planting sunflowers and learning about sustainability, students at St Augustine's Parish Primary School, Currumbin Waters are getting their hands dirty thanks to an innovative initiative. 

The initiative was sparked by school parent and passionate environmental scientist Dr Kate Hughes—who first started the program as a volunteer.

With a Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours in Soil Science), and a PhD in Physical Geography, Kate brings a wealth of knowledge to the school's leafy grounds.

 “As a scientist and gardener, I was excited to volunteer amongst the beautiful natural grounds and did some gardening here and there with the students, and things just grew from there," Dr Kate Hughes said.

Cultivating stewardship

 Dr Hughes now works at the school two mornings a week and shares with the students about the ways we can learn from and care for our natural surroundings.

 Dr Hughes is Inspired by Laudato Si' as she works with students from Prep to Year 6 across multiple learning areas. 

 “Stewardship for the natural world needs to start young," she said.

 “My job is to help children practice observing the natural world, listen to their questions, share skills, and encourage them to get their hands dirty—literally.

 “It's not just about facts—it's about helping students form values as they learn about their environment and empowering them with ways they can participate in caring for where we live."

Lifelong environmental awareness

Dr Hughes said, “The program transforms student learning the moment they step outside".

 “Students notice the most amazing things, which Is the seed of their connection to the natural world. It's that connection that is at the core of 'Caring for Our Common Home,'" she said.

“Fostering this powerful connection to the natural world is only possible thanks to St Augustine's Parish Primary School's visionary leadership, which has embraced and supported the program from the beginning."

“By nurturing a love of nature in primary aged students, we are planting the seeds of lifelong environmental awareness."

A brighter future

St Augustine's Parish Primary School Principal John Cameron said, “We are incredibly fortunate to have someone as highly qualified as Dr Kate Hughes leading this program".

"Her expertise and vision have made this a truly unique and enriching program for our students—one that will stay with them as they grow, shaping how they 'Care for Our Common Home," he said.

For more information about St Augustine's Parish Primary School, Currumbin Waters or to enrol click here.

About Laudato Si' Week

In 2025, we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si' Week with the theme of 'Raising Hope', aligned to this special Jubilee Year. It is an annual event that commemorates the publication of Pope Francis' encyclical, Laudato Si', which addresses environmental issues and calls for action to protect our planet.