As the WESSA Schools Programme team, we are so proud of all the work you have done throughout this unprecedentedly challenging year. If ever there was a true example of resilience for us to follow, it is your tenacity and persistence as parents, teachers, learners and community members to ensure we survive.
We wish you a restful break over the December and January holidays and wish you nothing but the best for 2021!
Warm regards,
Cindy and the Team
JOHN GRAHAM PRIMARY SCHOOL ON 50/50
Learners from John Graham Primary School, in Plumstead Cape Town compiled a video which was broadcasted on 50/50 on SABC 2. In the video they describe different environmental projects they are working on in and around the house. From planting food and herb gardens, reusing and upcycling household goods and water-saving strategies.
The grade 6 class at Sweet Valley Primary in Bergvliet, Cape Town showed their appreciation for Fynbos through beautiful and creative artwork. Learners can express their connectedness with nature in various forms and art is one of the ways to do that.
Here are some examples of their creations:
YOGA AND MINDFULNESS AT ST JAMES RC PRIMARY SCHOOL
To ensure learners’ health and well-being, they regularly practice social distancing Yoga at St James RC Primary School, in Kalk Bay Cape Town. Health and well-being are an important theme in the Eco-School Programme. The theme encourages schools to promote the health and well-being of learners and to make environmental connections to health and safety. There are many environmental connections: a healthy environment supports healthy living.
EARTH-KEEPERS AT BRESCIA HOUSE
The Eco-club and Brescia House, in Bryanston Johannesburg also referred to as the Earthkeepers, ran a campaign called “Raise the Bar”, where they investigated the carbon footprint of soap bars vs liquid soap. They found that soap bars are far better for the environment. Subsequently, the group started a collection in the Foundation Phase and Intermediate Phase. They managed to collect over 400 soap bars in total, which went to St Vincent De Paul, where they will be distributing the soap bars to the Women’s home and homeless shelters around the area.
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
IN TEMBISA
Three schools in Tembisa, Johannesburg (Jiyana Secondary School, Moduopo Primary School and Phutumani Primary School) in partnership with Ekurhuleni Municipality hosted a holistic Environmental Awareness Campaign on the 4th of November 2020. The focus of this campaign was centered around changing the community mindsets on solid waste management. The learners from the three schools participated as stewards initiating change in their community.
TRASHION SHOW AT BRIESHOF PRIMARY SCHOOL
Brieshof Primary School in Alldays Limpopo hosted an upcycling trashion show in celebration of the Heritage Day. Learners were asked to make costumes using any waste material such as newspapers, plastic bags, straws and bottle tops with the help from their parents.
The best 3 learners won stationery hampers put together by the teachers.
EDUPLANT WINNERS
Congratulations to Shea O’ Connor Combined School (KwaZulu Natal) and Seyisi Primary School (Eastern Cape) who won the Eduplant 2020 Competition in the Experienced and Mentoring Category respectively. The gardens are providing food to vulnerable learners and are being used for outdoor lessons.
TREE PLANTING AT SUNRISE VIEW PRIMARY SCHOOL
Sunrise View Primary hosted a tree planting event in partnership with Rustenburg Local municipality and the WESSA International Schools programme. The school also received a WESSA School hygiene unit to promote handwashing in the school for the containment and spread of COVID-19 in schools.
BLUE FLAG 2020/2021 LAUNCH
58 Blue Flags, 48 full status beaches, 6 marinas and 4 sustainable tourism boats were awarded in South Africa for the 2020 /2021 Blue Flag season at the Blue Flag launch on the 27th November 2020.
19 sites received recognition for working towards meeting the criteria for Blue Flag status. WESSA is committed to working with all of our stakeholders to expand conservation efforts of our marine and coastal environment.
We joined the Ford ‘RangeHER She’s Got Range’ campaign, which encourages all South Africans to rally behind this important journey - that has at its heart the celebration of women who are shaping theirs and other South Africans’ future. #fordrangeher #FordRangeHER Here is Cindy and Nomfundo with our Ford Rangers sponsored by the #fordwildlifefoundation
Zwakele Ngwenya travelled to Limpopo for the De Beers project in Blouberg to support schools with Eco-Schools Portfolio of Evidence for their 2020 projects. A workshop was also held in Polokwane for the CDM project for Eco-Schools seven steps, themes and guidelines.
