As the world commemorates Laudato Si’ Week (19 to 26 May) Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) schools not only stand out for their dedication to environmental stewardship and social responsibility, but also their commitment to caring for our common home. From turning trash into treasure to leading the charge with student-led eco-councils, BCE schools truly embody the principles of Pope Francis' encyclical, Laudato Si’.
Eco Council leads the way at Our Lady of Dolours School Mitchelton
Our Lady of Dolours School Mitchelton, Principal Tricia Howard, said their ‘Eco Council’, led by Year 2 teacher Alison Miles, allows students to voice their ideas about environmental initiatives that are important to them.
“The Eco Council oversees initiatives like managing lunchtime rubbish collection and ensures waste from the tuckshop is sorted correctly for recycling,” she said.
“The Eco Council also initiated our ‘Waste-Free Wednesdays’, a program which sees classes compete to minimise the percentage of wrappers in lunch boxes.
"In the past, we've also had a book swap which allows students to exchange their favourite novels.”
Tricia said the Eco Council also planned to expand its seasonal school clothes drive for both winter and summer, allowing families to exchange unwanted clothing year-round.
“Earth Hour is also important to our school community with classrooms switching off for one hour,” she said.
"Our Sustainability Club crafts lanterns out of recyclable materials for the event, promoting awareness and engagement among students.
"In 2024, our goal is to establish a Laudato Si’ parent committee aiming to capture the voice of our parent community."
Saving our reef at St Thomas’ School Camp Hill
Also making waves in environmental stewardship is St Thomas’ School Camp Hill, which last year raised $24,000 for the Great Barrier Reef with its Colour Fun Run fundraiser.
The success of the fundraiser led to the creation of a vibrant new football play space for the students and enabled 1200 pieces of coral to be planted at the Great Barrier Reef.
St Thomas’ School Principal Liam Beatty said sustainability initiatives have become integral to the school's ethos ‘Living Laudato Si’ in 2024’.
"Our Year 6 leaders have been at the forefront of initiatives like active school travel, organics bin, Containers for Change, and Fun Shot Friday—an activity which sees students aim to shoot cans into the recycling bin," he said.
“Our students also tend to our herb, sunflower, and an Under Eights Garden.
“These initiatives are all part of the fabric of our school, and we live Laudato Si’ every day.”
Creating eco warriors at Star of the Sea Primary School Cleveland
Echoing this sentiment is Star of the Sea Primary School Cleveland, whose EcoWarriors program, in collaboration with the Tangalooma EcoMarines program, engages students in various local environmental initiatives.
"In Term 2, we are thrilled to be invited on an excursion to Tangalooma Island as part of the Tangalooma EcoMarines Ambassador's program in partnership with Redlands City Council,” said Star of the Sea Primary School Principal Lagi Aukusitino.
“The excursion will provide students the opportunity to learn about the importance of waste reduction, recycling, and how they can make a difference to our local flora and fauna.”
In addition to the Tangalooma EcoMarines program, our school’s EcoWarriors champion sustainable lunchtime habits and raise funds for environmental projects through their innovative use of Containers for Change.
"In Term 2, we have also entrusted our EcoWarriors with the important mission of revitalising our prayer garden.
"In 2024, our school has set a goal to expand our recycling efforts by kickstarting a composting program.”
Restoring nature at St Rita’s Primary School Victoria Point
Since 2017, St Rita’s Primary School Victoria Point has also been taking part in the Tangalooma EcoMarines program. The school’s environmental group, the St Rita’s Rangers, promotes initiatives such as 'nude food days' and advocates for the use of recyclable packaging in lunch boxes.
While St Ita’s Regional Primary School Dutton Park is undertaking regeneration work in partnership with local environmental company Litoria Consulting to restore a nature reserve in the centre of the school.
Funded partly by the school’s Parents & Friends, the regeneration project will combat the encroachment of exotics and weeds on native trees along the Brisbane River and aims to minimise erosion and preserve local flora and fauna.
Brisbane Catholic Education is committed to enacting the Brisbane Archdiocese Laudato Si’ Action Plan 2024-2026.
©Brisbane Catholic Education, St Thomas’ School, Camp Hill (2024).
©Brisbane Catholic Education, St Rita’s Primary School, Victoria Point (2024).
©Brisbane Catholic Education, Our Lady of Dolours School, Mitchelton (2024).
©Brisbane Catholic Education, Star of the Sea Primary School, Cleveland (2024).