Environment
| Environment Captains 2009 | Genevieve Stewart |
| Nagida Clark |
The Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School Environment Group in recent years has become an integral aspect of the school community, with the introduction of Environment Captains serving as recognition of the increasing importance of awareness and action on environmental issues. We are a vibrant and motivated group composed of the thirty-eight selected Environment Representatives (a representative from every form group in the school), as well as other students who share a passion for the environment.
Our aim is to educate and empower students in caring for their environment, as well as to improve school infrastructure to make Mac.Rob more sustainable. This is achieved through a school system of recycling, as well as encouraging practices such as use of recycled paper, turning off light switches and printing double-sided. This year has been kick-started by the acquisition of three water tanks, which we endeavour to follow up with such features as a compost bin and solar panels.
The pinnacle event in Mac.Rob Enviro’s calendar is Environment Week, to be held from June 15th-19th this year. This is an annual event characterised by enthusiasm-inspiring events such as a clothing and book swap, a recycled fashion parade, a human tram travelling from Flinders Street station to school, workshops, guest speakers, an organic food stall, hippie dress up day and much more. We also hold other events throughout the year and encourage student participation in environmental events organised by the wider community, such as Clean Up Australia Day at Albert Park Lake, tree planting with Melbourne High School, The Forms Sustainability Challenge and participation in Earth Hour.
We view this year as one of the Mac.Rob Enviro’s most important yet, with environmental issues being placed at the forefront of world media and political attention in the lead up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference occurring in Copenhagen in December. By creating environmental change at Mac.Rob, we hope to initiate a ripple effect of changing social consciousness, and encourage students to give environmental issues a high priority.
