Our Lady of Dolours School plants 75-year legacy

As Our Lady of Dolours School, Mitchelton celebrates its diamond milestone, it is not only honouring its long and rich history but also celebrating a flourishing Eco Marines program.

Positioning them as a ‘School of Choice’, the program supports students to meet weekly to enact the late Pope Francis’ call to ‘Care for Our Common Home’ (Laudato Si’).

Eco Marines Council

 Our Lady of Dolours School Eco Marines Ambassadors and Year 6 students, Mauve and Katherine, share how the program has made a significant impact on the school and the wider community.

“Year-round student ambassadors guide other students on where to put their lunch box wrappers, help clean up our school, and also support our broader community of Mitchelton with clean ups,” Mauve said.

“We also have a sustainability club, where we make crafts out of recycled materials,” said Katherine.

Year 5 classroom teacher Alison Miles is the Eco Marine Ambassador, Eco Council, and Sustainability club champion whose vision and initiatives are the driving force behind this outstanding work at Our Lady of Dolours.   

“While our Go Green Day helps students learn about how they can help protect our environment,” she said.

“In 2026, we plan to host an annual bake sale, which will raise funds for Eco Marines Foundation, a not-for-profit sustainability education provider.”

The program also allows students to participate in worm farming, composting, gardening, Containers for Change, Earth Hour, National Recycling Week, Clean Up Australia Day, book swaps, and Wrapper Free Wednesdays, which encourages the school community to leave lunch wrappers at home.

School of Choice

 Our Lady of Dolours School Principal Tricia Howard said, “our 75th year will be one of continued sustainability, with many families choosing our school due to our commitment to Laudato Si’”.

“In 2026, our ambassadors will be encouraging our school community to switch off lights, turn off air conditioners and devices when not in use,” she said.

“Alison and our ambassadors have created a wrapper-free recipe book to help families reduce lunchbox waste.

“While Wrapper Free Wednesdays has long been part of our school culture, this new project provides practical and creative solutions for waste-free lunches, moving beyond simply unwrapping food at home.”

Tricia adds, “in 2026, we will continue our commitment to educating our students in the spirit of Laudato Si’.”

Over the past ten years our classes have committed to a project: 

Preps worm farms,

Year 1 Edible Gardens,

Year 2 Containers for change,

Year 3 recycle bins,

Year 4 composting,

Year 5 waste warriors,

Year 6 edible gardens.

Beyond the school gates

 Tricia said the Eco Marines and Alison are also working with local kindergartens and preschools, sharing knowledge, supporting sustainability projects, and running recycled craft activities with younger children. 

“These connections have not only extended our impact but also highlighted the leadership skills of our students,” she said.

“Through collaboration, action and education, our students are showing us all that young people can play a powerful role in creating a more sustainable future.

“As we mark 75 years of educational excellence, we are deeply proud of the leadership our students continue to demonstrate and the lasting difference they are making across communities and generations.”

In 2026, ambassadors will also launch their Eco Challenge Week, encouraging each class to design new ways to reduce waste, conserve resources and protect biodiversity. 

BCE Open Week

 Parents and Carers of future scholars are invited to meet the Principal and explore the Our Lady of Dolours School difference on Tuesday 28 April at 3.30pm.

Don’t miss your chance to take a sneak peek beyond the school gates to register your interest click here.

Our Lady of Dolours School also celebrated their 75 years with a celebratory whole school mass and history walk, with past Principals, alumni and BCE Executive Director Dr Sally Towns and Formation and Engagement Executive Sharon O’Keeffe all present.

 Want to know more about what makes a BCE school special? Explore Catholic schools in Brisbane today, click here.

 Image caption: Our Lady of Dolours School Eco Marine Ambassadors. ©Brisbane Catholic Education, Our Lady of Dolours School, Mitchelton (2026).