CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES ( CCA ) & CREATIVITY ACTIVITY AND SERVICE ( CAS )
It has been an eventful year for the SJI Green Club with the inclusion of new programmes on nature conservation and biodiversity in addition to our regular environmental responsibilities . The theme for the year is “ Nature Conservation at our Doorstep ” and we started the year with a partnership with the National Parks Board ’ s Learning Forest in the Singapore Botanic Gardens . We went through a 7-session hands-on workshop on the Learning Forest ’ s Habitat Enhancement Programme . We learnt about the process behind reforestation and how even after a piece of land is reforested , the job is not done . There is on-going work like the regular removal of invasive species and the conducting of regular biodiversity surveys to find out what fauna species is returning to inhabit the area . The experience was truly enriching .
During Earth Week , we had a school-wide “ Asia ’ s Red List ” competition where each class is to submit a 3D poster on an endangered species in Asia . The aim is to create awareness of the many varieties of species in our own backyard that need our help .
Recycling point set up on Sports Day
In September , we assisted in the “ Beneath the Waves ” event , together with the Senior Section ’ s Ecology CAS , Music CAS and Visual Arts CAS . It is an ocean-inspired event , in conjunction with the 2018 International Year of Reef , organised to raise awareness of the importance of our oceans and the threats they face . There were many interesting activities such as Conservation International ’ s Virtual Reality Experience through “ Valen ’ s Reef ”, coffee painting and the screening of many great ocean-inspired documentaries . There were also stalls set up by UNPACKT , the first zero-waste specialty grocer and wholesaler in Singapore that offers packaging-free shopping . They help us minimise food waste and excessive plastic packaging , at an affordable price .
“ Against the backdrop of the extreme effects of climate change , pollution and unsustainable exploitation of the oceans ( and land ), Pope Francis ’ call for humanity to care for creation in his 2015 Encyclical Letter ‘ Laudato Si ’ is a clear signal for environmental action as a moral imperative .” - “ Beneath the Waves ” website .
Tree planting event in school
This is why it is important for all of us to play our part in caring for creation through simple acts like disposing plastic , papers , cans etc . at the appropriate recycling points set up within the school and even at school events held outside of the school campus .
“ We don ’ t have to engage in grand heroic actions to participate in change . Small acts when multiplied by millions of people can transform the world . - Howard Zinn
Fun shot at the photo booth
Learning journey at Gardens by the Bay
Paper craft workshop conducted by the librarian
Building a vertical wall at learning forest workshop
JOSEPHIAN ANNUAL 2018 137