On Wednesday 28th of February over 300 primary school students from 11 feeder primary schools came to visit KCS for our annual COP event. Students were given the opportunity to engage in a variety of different activities that were student led. All students were firstly given a talk by Mr. John Corcoran, Deputy Principal, Kathleen O’Brien and Sustainability Chaplain, Mr. Klaus Harvey. A video was showcased to the students which highlighted all the green initiatives currently taking place in KCS. The primary school students were then divided into groups and had the opportunity to engage in a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. The primary school students had the opportunity to engage in a variety of sustainability games such as predicting how long until each item would decompose, Jinga to convey how important it is to balance earths ecosystems (land, water, living things etc). They engaged in a recycling relay race where they had to sort rubbish into the correct bins. The kids got competitive when they had the task of trying to avoid the plastic in the ocean and catch the fish in the virtual water. They also had the opportunity to share their learning with the popsicle game where they had to answer the question on their popsticle stick.

Our visitors got the opportunity to engage in a variety of workshops and got to bring home lots of goodies to their schools and homes. Eight groups of students doing the Young Environmentalist Awards Competition showcased their projects and carried out a range of activities with them. All students got the opportunity to engage with the “H20 Heroes” Workshop which involved making their own filters for their school sinks which would be used to prevent paint residue going down the drain. Also, they engaged with our “Seed to Succeed” Group who prepared the seedbomb mix and used wildflower seeds which will grow into beautiful wildflowers providing food for pollinating insects like bees. All primary school children got the opportunity to bring home their own seedbomb which can be thrown onto a piece of bare ground where the seeds can germinate and grow into plants. Another Young Environmentalist Group called “How’s the Weather” got the students to sign a pledge and spin a wheel and debate the topic it landed on to encourage students to think critically about climate issues. The “Solar Squad” showcased their findings from their project and asked students to fill out a survey to find out how many students had solar panels and to gauge their level of knowledge in relation to solar panels. Students then moved on to the Christmas Crimbo workshop where they got to make their own coasters out of milk carton tops to show them how easy it is to upcycle waste.

Our Transition Year students who entered Junk Kouture also displayed their projects to showcase how you can upcycle waste. As well as this, primary school students had the opportunity to practice their sewing skills with a group of TY students who have entered the Young Environmentalist Awards Competition, students firstly showed students what to do and then the primary school students had to apply what they learned and try to sew a patch onto a piece of fabric. As well as this students had the opportunity to walk around and engage with 12 BTYS Projects.

Last but not least, students got the opportunity to go outside and engage in a variety of activities. Firstly, they got a tour of our campus and were educated on how the MyGug in our school works, then students in their groups got the opportunity to plant some seeds and herbs which will be used for our sensory garden once the weather improves. Students had the opportunity to get involved in a web of life activity to help them understand the interrelationships and interdependence between plants and animals. Lastly, students completed a walk of our track, they had to walk as a group the distance between their primary school and KCS. Students also completed a Quiz on transport.

We received some amazing feedback from all students who had a very enjoyable day and went home inspired, with lots of goodies for themselves and their schools.