Revegetation of Blackwall Reach by Santa Maria Students
At Santa Maria College, we believe in empowering young women through innovative education and fostering a sense of community and social responsibility. Our recent revegetation project at Blackwall Reach Reserve is a testament to these values. Supported by a $20,000 grant to the Melville Rotary Club as part of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations, our Eco Sisters and Biology students have taken a hands-on approach to environmental stewardship.
This week, the students presented their findings to Sam Lim MP, Federal Labour Member of Tangney. The presentation celebrated the remarkable achievements of our students.
The journey began in 2022. Since then, our students have planted 1,400 Banksia seedlings at Blackwall Reach Reserve. This project also involved the installation of a poly pipe system to ensure the seedlings were watered every second week during summer. Our Eco Sisters have been involved from the very start, embodying leadership and compassion by working diligently to see this project through.
Throughout 2023 and 2024, the Eco Sisters, alongside our Biology students, engaged in meticulous data analysis by monitoring the seedlings during September, November, March, and May. They managed seven trial sites, each with 40 seedlings planted under varying conditions – some with different watering schedules, others with distinct fertiliser regimes. By tracking survival rates and soil moisture readings, our students applied critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills, while learning the importance of environmental stewardship.
The Blackwall Reach revegetation project underscores the essence of community and belonging at Santa Maria College. By involving our students in such impactful projects, we instil life-long learning attributes, fostering initiative, collaboration, and critical thinking. As we celebrate their success, we also look forward to seeing these young leaders continue to grow and inspire others with their commitment to the environment and their community.
- Community, Featured, Stewardship
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.