October
Thanks to staff for leading students in potting up the acorns harvested several weeks ago and leading our students in activities that incorporate #climateaction The symbolism, quotes and folklore associated with the oak tree seems quite appropriate for today. “An infinity of forest lies dormant within the dreams on one acorn.” So many “acorns”, so many dreams and so much potential encouraged and nurtured by a fine gentleman who retired today.
Students from around Waterford volunteering to participate in Waterford City and County Council Inititaive “Student Climate Conference” and giving their input in this public consultation on the Actions proposed as part of the Draft Climate Action plan for the future. #Studentvoice #ClimateAction Thanks to Saoirse, Sofia and Molly for getting involved.
November
Teachers attend Ardscoil na Mara for an inspiring day about teaching nature. Two of our teachers have now done the training which provided lots of practical hands on tools and activities to encourage students to develop leadership skills as well as knowledge and understanding of actions they can take to enhance their wellbeing and environment. Our course provides information about the climate and nature crises, how to have conversations about it, how to imagine a better future, the positive actions that can be taken, how to form new habits and how to deal with the mental pressures. The activities included are also great to run with students in your classroom.
December
Students in TY facilitated arts and crafts workshops with older adults in Waterford Residential Care Centre using recycled cardboard to make Christmas decorations.
January
Old scholar Naoise Duffy in to talk to TY students about the experience of the four Newtown students who attended Caretakers for the Environment Conferences in Indonesia (online) in 2020 when they were in TY, Ireland in 2021 and in Costa Rica in person in 2022. CEI Alumni team
February
Tree planting with Lions club.
April
Some of our TY students along with some of our French Erasmus visitors from Bdi Saint-Paul Lille Bdi Saint-Paul Lille visited the Sustainability in Arts festival at South East Technological University today to see a range of art installations and hear from artist Celina Muldoon.
Climate action – Planting sunflowers
We continued to work on our horticulture activities as part of TY today alongside our Erasmus students from Bdi Saint-Paul Lille who are here on their short term Erasmus mobilities. Erasmus mobilities are co-funded by the European Union. Looking forward to seeing the sunflowers bloom in a few weeks!!
Cycle promotion – Cycle the greenway.
Our students who participated in the Rubbish Film Festival. Great to see the creativity of so many young people!
This idea might be something that our Erasmus GenCy4Inc&ClimA partners could copy as an activity in Portugal/ Spain and Poland next year?