At St John XXIII Catholic College, Stanhope Gardens, students are turning their hopes for the environment into real action.
With the help of creative problem-solving called ‘design thinking’, they’ve worked together to come up with real ways to help the environment, using what they’ve learned to care for our common home.
Finding pollution solutions in the world. image: Supplied.
Students tackle pollution
To combat pollution, students collaborated with a diverse range of real-world experts, including:
- Scientists from Australia’s Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Australia’s infrastructure for research.
- Representatives from NSW Environmental Protection Authority.
- Academics from the Australian National University.
- Mechanical engineer Stanley Osuagwu
- Environmental advocate Antoine Jaja, author of the Jack the Super Prawn children’s books about plastic pollution.
Each expert brought valuable insight and professional experience, enriching the students’ understanding of the scientific and technical dimensions of sustainability through a message of awareness and prayer.
An immersive activity
As part of the day, Year 5 and 6 students created products designed to prevent pollution and participated in a fun and engaging quiz. They also had the chance to meet a marine scientist and connect via Zoom with students from across the Pacific, sharing ideas and perspectives.
Students dove deep into the topic of marine life, learning a bounty of interesting facts and confronting the challenge humanity faces if we continue to ignore the call to care for our Earth.
“We worked in teams, collaborating, communicating, and sharing their ideas to develop meaningful pollution solutions,” said students Elise and Alyssa.
Each group then prototyped their design and presented their ideas to teachers and key stakeholders.
Students engaged in ecological activities. Image: Supplied.
One group from each stage was selected to present their solution to other schools across the Pacific via an online meeting with students from Lord Howe Island. Students also had the opportunity to hear how their peers in other schools approached the problem, sparking further learning and inspiration.
This rich, interactive experience was not only fun but deeply formative.
As one student shared, “The immersion day was a very fun and interactive experience, and everyone was contributing and enjoying the time spent.”
Meanwhile, a visit from the sustainability team at the De Mazenod Catholic College in Melbourne sparked further inspiration and collaboration, as students exchanged ideas on how to care for creation in their own communities.
Stewards of creation
The ecological initiative was timely, as it aligned with a special moment in the Church’s care for creation – the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si, Pope Francis’s encyclical for the environment.
It also aligned with the 800-year anniversary of St Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of the Creatures. Through prayer and reflection, students connected with the struggles facing our planet and began coming up with thoughtful, creative ideas inspired by compassion and a sense of responsibility for the Earth.
Through this initiative, the students of St John XXIII Catholic College have shown what is possible when education, faith, and action come together.
Their passion, creativity, and commitment offer a powerful reminder that young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow – they are the changemakers of today.
Learn more about Care for the Environment.
Anthony Matthews was the former Assistant Principal – Curiosity (Year 5-8) at St John XXIII Catholic College, Stanhope Gardens and is currently Assistant Principal at St Margaret Mary’s Primary School, Merrylands.
