Earth Week at Shawnigan

Marion Hall has been a specific focus of the Sustainability Council’s efforts this year.

 

“Shawnigan is a community that creates a lot of waste, with over 500 students and 60 staff members and their families living on campus,” said Grade 10 student Sorath R. “It’s important to think about sustainability in our day-to-day lives.”

 

Tuesday saw the first of the Earth Week competitions, with the Houses — and a team of staff members — battling to see who could sort recycling, compost, garbage and returnables the fastest. Some teams packed it in early due to the rain, but of those who stuck it out, Groves’ House proved the most adept on the day.

 

Wednesday was Outdoor Day, on which teachers were encouraged to take their students out of the classroom, thereby minimizing the use of lights and energy sources. Despite the dreary weather and occasional rain showers a few teachers took advantage of the opportunity.

 

On Thursday, members of the Sustainability Council conducted tours of the Mark Hobson Hatchery and the Growing Dome, key aspects of the School’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

 

The second competition was held on Friday, with Houses again squaring off, this time to create sculptures out of recyclable materials. House teams had to find their materials — preferably clean — and create something new. Strathcona won the event with their rendition of seabirds — a gull and a puffin — and Kaye’s placed second with a massive dinosaur.

 

“It was a fun and creative way to get people thinking about recycling,” said Emma H., who organized the sculpture competition along with Shelby H. and Marin D.

 

At the end of the school day on Friday, more than 70 students and staff took part in the campus cleanup. That was followed by the Community Cleanup on Saturday morning as students joined members of the larger community to help tidy up Shawnigan Village.

 

The House that made the biggest contribution throughout the week was awarded a private dock party at the boathouse, and that honour went to Lonsdale’s, based on participation numbers.

 

The goal for Earth Week was to inspire the School community to make a positive change in the environment, and Sustainability Council members believed they accomplished that.

 

“I’d say it was a success with the amount of participation,” said Sorath, who led the recycling sorting competition and Outdoor Day. “We had a pretty wide reach with everything we did.”

 

Echoing comments she made in the Chapel gathering before Earth Week, Emma emphasized the importance of environmental stewardship.

 

“We only have one planet,” she said. “We should take care of it while we still can.”