St Brigid’s Eco Marines ‘Care for Our Common Home’ this BCE Open Week!

Choosing a school for your child can feel overwhelming, but at St Brigid's Catholic Primary School, Nerang families can be confident that students are making an impact both inside and outside of the classroom.

For the past four years, St Brigid’s, located in the heart of the Gold Coast, has been nurturing a deep sense of environmental responsibility in students through its thriving Eco Marines program. The program is deeply rooted in Laudato Si’, empowering students in Prep to Year 6 to ‘Care for Our Common Home’.

Sustainability begins in the early years

St Brigid’s Catholic Primary School Principal Matthew Vine said the Eco Marines program places sustainability, stewardship and student leadership at the forefront of school life.

“Environmental learning begins early at St Brigid’s,” he said.

“In Year 1, students launched their science unit ‘How Things Move’ with an engaging incursion from Reverse Garbage. 

“Using recycled materials, students designed and built imaginative creations that explored motion while reinforcing the importance of sustainability.”

The school’s Eco Marine student leaders have also brought new life to a shared learning space, revitalising the Year 3 sensory garden and establishing a new flower bed in the Prep area. The new play area and garden bed will help students learn about and care for their school environment.

Healthy choices start here

Matthew adds, that the Eco Marines student leaders also play an important role in promoting wellbeing and healthy choices across the school.

“During Wellness Week, Eco Marine student leaders encourage their peers to bring wrapper free lunchbox foods, reinforcing the link between personal health, environmental responsibility, and caring for God’s creation,” he said.

Leaders in environmental sustainability

In recent years, the Eco Marine team has also joined the Eco Marines Foundation for a trip to Tangalooma Island alongside other environmental student leaders. The trip empowers students to be part of a wider world that creates long-term, positive behaviour change for our diverse but often fragile wildlife, natural environment, and ecosystems.

Last year, the Eco Marines student leaders also attended Eco Marines Foundation’s event The Wave, a networking event for students who want to make a difference in the world.

Discover the St Brigid’s Catholic Primary School difference!

Families are warmly invited to discover how programs like Eco Marines help students grow as compassionate learners, leaders and stewards of creation at the St Brigid’s Catholic Primary School’s Open Week event on 29 April.

With its strong focus on sustainability, student voice and Catholic values, St Brigid’s continues to show that even small actions can make a meaningful difference!

For more information about St Brigid’s Catholic Primary School, Nerang or to enrol click here.

Did you know Catholic education has been part of the Gold Coast community since 1926? Today, Catholic schools across the Gold Coast reflect a region known for its coastal lifestyle, diversity and ambition. Find a school near you, click here.

Image caption: At St Brigid's Catholic Primary School families can be confident that students are making an impact both inside and outside of the classroom. ©Brisbane Catholic Education, St Brigid's Catholic Primary School, Nerang (2026).