STUDENTS from Coolnwynpin State School were not deterred by the cold snap and the shorter daylight hours at the end of June, packing a heap of activities into their last week of term.
Traditionally, the Winter Solstice, which was on June 21 this year, is a time to reconnect with nature and celebrate the importance of family and friends before things heat up again.
Junior and senior classes at the school put in more than 200 plants along the Ney Road boundary of the Carramar bushland area in the school grounds.
The regeneration of the plants and wildlife in the Carramar has been helped by an Everyone’s Environment grant from the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection and with ongoing support from Redland’s Indigiscapes.
Also that week, students stepped up the pace to join in the Cool School’s annual winter walkathon.
This year, the oval was overtaken by enough superheroes to save the planet.
As well as encouraging fitness in the cooler months, the walkathon raised funds to help complete the shaded grandstand area near the oval.
To top it off, students who have been consistently co-operative, helpful and respectful to others joined in a range of fun activities including cooking, painting and party games at the Positive Behaviour for Learning rewards day.
Parents and Citizens Association president David Tanti was amazed how engaged the students were in the last week of school.
“The whole school community has joined in these activities," he said.
Principal Mick Lawrance was also happy.
“It has been all about getting out there and participating. Through these experiential learning events, students have tested their skills in collaboration, problem solving, and decision-making to bridge the gap between classroom learning and practice,” he said.
