See attached article for further information on how you can build your very own worm farm and make a difference with all your food scraps.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Kerrimuir Enviro News Week Ending 14th August, 2009
We are all looking forward to our thriving vegetable patch. Along with our composting efforts we will start our own 'worm farm' - Another form of composting.
See attached article for further information on how you can build your very own worm farm and make a difference with all your food scraps.
See attached article for further information on how you can build your very own worm farm and make a difference with all your food scraps.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
KPS ENVIRO NEWS Week Ending 7th August 2009
Hi All,
Welcome to this weeks edition of our Enviro News. Lots of Biodiversity this term, Eden Grouios from Mr McLean's 5MC will be letting us know what has been happening around the school grounds, in the class & much more.
A note from Eden
"In Mr McLean's grade we have been working on the vegetable garden. This week our class is on the roster for gardening. the people on Monday are Angela,Jason,Laura,Maddie and with help of Rhys.
Tuesday people are Eden,bhavisha,Matt and help from Rhys. On Wednesday the people are Jag,Belinda and Becky and that's all i remember but they all did a fantastic job, well the ones who did work anyway. i think the best gardeners so far are Belinda and Becky they worked really hard cleaning the gutters and picking up rubbish. Also another good Gardener was bhavisha she worked hard all by her self. so well done to those people and well done to the others as well. In the vegetable garden we have been shoveling,digging and planting. We have planted the bay tree in the centre of the veggie patch. everyone helped plant it. We have also made the NO DIG GARDEN. It has 3 layers (bottom paper,middle hay, top dirt/soil.) It looks fantastic so far.Every Wednesday please if you would like go see one of the gardeners to help our school out. Also please try to have rubbish free lunch so we don't litter our school. I would like to say thank you to Mr. McLean,Gavin and especially my grade".
Eden 5/McLean
Welcome to this weeks edition of our Enviro News. Lots of Biodiversity this term, Eden Grouios from Mr McLean's 5MC will be letting us know what has been happening around the school grounds, in the class & much more.
A note from Eden
"In Mr McLean's grade we have been working on the vegetable garden. This week our class is on the roster for gardening. the people on Monday are Angela,Jason,Laura,Maddie and with help of Rhys.
Tuesday people are Eden,bhavisha,Matt and help from Rhys. On Wednesday the people are Jag,Belinda and Becky and that's all i remember but they all did a fantastic job, well the ones who did work anyway. i think the best gardeners so far are Belinda and Becky they worked really hard cleaning the gutters and picking up rubbish. Also another good Gardener was bhavisha she worked hard all by her self. so well done to those people and well done to the others as well. In the vegetable garden we have been shoveling,digging and planting. We have planted the bay tree in the centre of the veggie patch. everyone helped plant it. We have also made the NO DIG GARDEN. It has 3 layers (bottom paper,middle hay, top dirt/soil.) It looks fantastic so far.Every Wednesday please if you would like go see one of the gardeners to help our school out. Also please try to have rubbish free lunch so we don't litter our school. I would like to say thank you to Mr. McLean,Gavin and especially my grade".
Eden 5/McLean
Monday, July 27, 2009
KPS ENVIRO NEWS - Week Ending July 30th, 2009
KERRIMUIR WORKS TOWARDS BIODIVERSITY THIS TERM
From our one & only Gavan O'Neil who was @ KPS on Saturday 25th July along with Michael McLean, Tony Grouios, John Respini, Aaron & Ben from New Hope Church in Blackburn North & ofcourse Harry Respini.
"we had a great time at school - building and positioning the vegie beds today" says Gavan.
Shortly before we finished up, Michael , Mal and I agreed it would be ideal to have the member for Box Hill come along on Friday and plant a Bay Tree in the centre of the new patch. Photos attached for all to see all the great progress.
We have a fencing contractor coming this week to erect a fence around the Veggie Patch, Chook Shed will be incorporated together with a Storage Shed, Donated by Tony Grouios - a working bee will be organised around this.
Veggie Patch work - Stage 1
Our school is working very hard to become Sustainable, keep up the great work everyone!
Next Environment meeting is on Monday 10th August @ 6.30pm - hope to see you there.
From our one & only Gavan O'Neil who was @ KPS on Saturday 25th July along with Michael McLean, Tony Grouios, John Respini, Aaron & Ben from New Hope Church in Blackburn North & ofcourse Harry Respini.
"we had a great time at school - building and positioning the vegie beds today" says Gavan.
Shortly before we finished up, Michael , Mal and I agreed it would be ideal to have the member for Box Hill come along on Friday and plant a Bay Tree in the centre of the new patch. Photos attached for all to see all the great progress.
We have a fencing contractor coming this week to erect a fence around the Veggie Patch, Chook Shed will be incorporated together with a Storage Shed, Donated by Tony Grouios - a working bee will be organised around this.
Veggie Patch work - Stage 1
Our school is working very hard to become Sustainable, keep up the great work everyone!
Next Environment meeting is on Monday 10th August @ 6.30pm - hope to see you there.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
KPS Enviro News - Week Ending 24 July 2009
Hi All,
BIODIVERSITY
Exciting News
After much discussion and planning, construction of the Kerrimuir School Vegetable Garden is starting this week.
The new garden will be established in an area of the playground with a northerly aspect next to the cricket nets. The garden will consist of raised ‘no dig’ beds and allowances have been made for the addition of composting bays, green house and a chicken coupe.
The raised beds will be a mix of both new and recycled materials which will combine corrugated iron and timber to form an aesthetically pleasing addition to the playground. A big thank you must be extended to G Store for the donation of a raised corrugated iron garden bed and also New Hope Church for the assistance in construction of the timber beds.
The school is currently working hard to establish itself as a sustainable school and the garden will form an integral part of Kerrimuir Primary Schools curriculum especially in the areas of sustainability and environmental studies.
Grade 5M Children are currently growing seedlings in various mediums (rocks/multch/cotton) to study their growth patterns.
WORM FARMS
Whitehorse City Council had some interesting facts about worm farms, they have established a worm enclosure at their offices in Nunawading for all their food scraps - this will divert 18.5 kg of waste from landfill each week - a whopping 962 kilograms a year. KPS hope to establish a worm farm of their own within our gardens - I refer to a worm farm as a 'no smell compost bin'. These worms will recycyle organic waste including the leftovers of our hungry children. Amazing results.
RECYCLING
Rubbish Free Wednesday was a success, we hope parents & children continue their rubbish free journey each day.
WATER
Our Water Tanks are up & running, after last nights rain we hope they are nice and full ready to be used for our 'toilet flushing' Savings lots of lots of litres each day!
MORE BUCKETS NEEDS / CONTAINERS FOR DRINKING TAPS - thank you!
WORKING BEE - TERM 3
More news on the working bee to come!
ENVIRONMENT MEETING
All welcome to the next Environment Sub-convener meeting on Monday 10th August, 2009.
Keeping Green,
Ellen Grouios
BIODIVERSITY
Exciting News
After much discussion and planning, construction of the Kerrimuir School Vegetable Garden is starting this week.
The new garden will be established in an area of the playground with a northerly aspect next to the cricket nets. The garden will consist of raised ‘no dig’ beds and allowances have been made for the addition of composting bays, green house and a chicken coupe.
The raised beds will be a mix of both new and recycled materials which will combine corrugated iron and timber to form an aesthetically pleasing addition to the playground. A big thank you must be extended to G Store for the donation of a raised corrugated iron garden bed and also New Hope Church for the assistance in construction of the timber beds.
The school is currently working hard to establish itself as a sustainable school and the garden will form an integral part of Kerrimuir Primary Schools curriculum especially in the areas of sustainability and environmental studies.
Grade 5M Children are currently growing seedlings in various mediums (rocks/multch/cotton) to study their growth patterns.
WORM FARMS
Whitehorse City Council had some interesting facts about worm farms, they have established a worm enclosure at their offices in Nunawading for all their food scraps - this will divert 18.5 kg of waste from landfill each week - a whopping 962 kilograms a year. KPS hope to establish a worm farm of their own within our gardens - I refer to a worm farm as a 'no smell compost bin'. These worms will recycyle organic waste including the leftovers of our hungry children. Amazing results.
RECYCLING
Rubbish Free Wednesday was a success, we hope parents & children continue their rubbish free journey each day.
WATER
Our Water Tanks are up & running, after last nights rain we hope they are nice and full ready to be used for our 'toilet flushing' Savings lots of lots of litres each day!
MORE BUCKETS NEEDS / CONTAINERS FOR DRINKING TAPS - thank you!
WORKING BEE - TERM 3
More news on the working bee to come!
ENVIRONMENT MEETING
All welcome to the next Environment Sub-convener meeting on Monday 10th August, 2009.
Keeping Green,
Ellen Grouios
Monday, July 13, 2009
KPS Enviro News - Term 3 - 17th July, 2009
Hi All,
Welcome back for Term 3. This is our first official Online Blog - paperless Enviro News.
Lots of works being done around the school, all looking fantastic.
WATER
Our Water Tanks have finally been installed, one near the toilet block at the Front of the school & one at the rear of the MPR to be used for the toilets in the After-care area/MPR - lots of savings!! Bring on the rain now!
BIODIVERSITY / GARDENS
Lots of planning with our Veggie Patch, A proposed working bee dedicated to the Veggie Patch will take place on Saturday 25th July, 2009, we would appreciate all people that can help with labouring/carpentry or a trade of some sort.
If you feel you can lend a hand we would love to hear from you - either call Tony on 0418582577 or see Mr Michael McLean @ KPS - grade 5MC.
We will keep you up to date with further initiatives.
Wednesday gardening is moving along nicely, thanks to all parents attending - we will focus on the middle school eating area, lots of pruning/cutting back & sweeping to be done. We usually meet at 11.30am each Wednesday.
RECYCLING/COMPOST
Keep up the great work, great to see Rubbish free lunchboxes more & more.
Even taking your rubbish home helps! Please send any small buckets/containers with your child to school for our water saving initiatives at the taps.
ENERGY
Rug up now that its cold, keep your heaters on at 18 degrees, this saves lots of energy over the winter. I am looking forward to sharing further information about our Energy Savings with our Solar system when I know more.
Everyone may want to take up the Government Initiative of installing insulation in their homes if there home are pre-2004? Login to the Department of Environment for further information, everyone is elidgible for this, will help your home keep walmer in winter & cooler in Summer.
Welcome back for Term 3. This is our first official Online Blog - paperless Enviro News.
Lots of works being done around the school, all looking fantastic.
WATER
Our Water Tanks have finally been installed, one near the toilet block at the Front of the school & one at the rear of the MPR to be used for the toilets in the After-care area/MPR - lots of savings!! Bring on the rain now!
BIODIVERSITY / GARDENS
Lots of planning with our Veggie Patch, A proposed working bee dedicated to the Veggie Patch will take place on Saturday 25th July, 2009, we would appreciate all people that can help with labouring/carpentry or a trade of some sort.
If you feel you can lend a hand we would love to hear from you - either call Tony on 0418582577 or see Mr Michael McLean @ KPS - grade 5MC.
We will keep you up to date with further initiatives.
Wednesday gardening is moving along nicely, thanks to all parents attending - we will focus on the middle school eating area, lots of pruning/cutting back & sweeping to be done. We usually meet at 11.30am each Wednesday.
RECYCLING/COMPOST
Keep up the great work, great to see Rubbish free lunchboxes more & more.
Even taking your rubbish home helps! Please send any small buckets/containers with your child to school for our water saving initiatives at the taps.
ENERGY
Rug up now that its cold, keep your heaters on at 18 degrees, this saves lots of energy over the winter. I am looking forward to sharing further information about our Energy Savings with our Solar system when I know more.
Everyone may want to take up the Government Initiative of installing insulation in their homes if there home are pre-2004? Login to the Department of Environment for further information, everyone is elidgible for this, will help your home keep walmer in winter & cooler in Summer.
Monday, June 22, 2009
KPS ENVIRO-NEWS Edition 17– 25 June 09
KPS ENVIRO-NEWS Edition 17– 25 June 09
Hi All,
RECYCLING
Keep up the great work everyone, good to see our Compost Bins nice & full ready for our vegetable gardens – more to follow in Term 3.
Mr McLean’s class a busily designing KPS’s Vegetable Garden layout, our proposed site location for our Chooks and many more interesting areas that will foster sustainable learning at Kerrmuir.
Michael McLean is currently sourcing quotes on fencing and many other items required, if you have any contacts within this industry we would love to hear from you.
WATER
Water tank installation is well underway & hopefully out of the car park by now…We want to thank all the Plumbers working at the school & Dion at G Store for all his time and expertise.
A big thank you to G-Store for their Donation to KPS – we have a large aboveground Steel Planter Box measuring 1m high x 2.4 wide – which will be used in our New Veggie Patch area.
KPS Gardens & Grounds
Thank you to all parents & students who have offered their time and been enthusiastic about our Gardens & little painting project over this term, without you this could not have been achieved – Many thanks.
Painting of the Toilet wall is almost complete, Julia Weston has done a brilliant job on bringing a fresh, fun colorful aspect to one of our main entries at school.
Julia had some of the kids in 2A help with the flowers, they did a fantastic job, thank you to Georgia Papamicheal, Maya Weston,Airi Weston, Jade Bardwell and Jordy Macdonald, Great job kids!
Planting & Edging should be complete this week also. Spraying of weeds will be finalized on the school holidays, Green Thumbs were planning to meet on Thursday 2 July @ 10.30am for some light gardening – weather pending. We look forward to starting work in the middle school gardens – Eating area.
Environment Sub-Convener Meeting
Our next meeting will be Monday 13th July at 6.30pm in the staff room, all welcome.
Energy
KPS has had their solar up & running for almost 4 weeks now, we should be able to assess how much energy has been consumed & fed to the grid on our next Electricity Bill.
Over the school holidays our Solar will be feeding the grid quite rapidly as there will not be as much power being used – this is a great saving on our power bill & our Environment footprint!
Enviro News Online
This is our last paper copy of the Enviro News, we are wanting to set the example of going paperless and moving to an Electronic Newsletter, Enviro News will be available on the Kerrimuir Website, under the sustainability Tab. http://www.kerrimuirps.vic.edu.au
We hope to be able to have an E-Newsletter for all our communications and continue to Save Resources and use less paper.
If you would be interested in receiving an Electronic Newsletter via email or link, and no longer receiving a paper format, please register your interest below. This is only a registration process to gauge the interest level of parents/carers – subject to authorization by Principal & school council.
Registration for KPS E-Newsletter – (save Energy – save Resources)
Name:________________________________________________________________________________
Email:_______________________________________________________________________________
Childs Class/Teacher ________________________________________________________________
Date_________________________________________________________________________________
Hi All,
RECYCLING
Keep up the great work everyone, good to see our Compost Bins nice & full ready for our vegetable gardens – more to follow in Term 3.
Mr McLean’s class a busily designing KPS’s Vegetable Garden layout, our proposed site location for our Chooks and many more interesting areas that will foster sustainable learning at Kerrmuir.
Michael McLean is currently sourcing quotes on fencing and many other items required, if you have any contacts within this industry we would love to hear from you.
WATER
Water tank installation is well underway & hopefully out of the car park by now…We want to thank all the Plumbers working at the school & Dion at G Store for all his time and expertise.
A big thank you to G-Store for their Donation to KPS – we have a large aboveground Steel Planter Box measuring 1m high x 2.4 wide – which will be used in our New Veggie Patch area.
KPS Gardens & Grounds
Thank you to all parents & students who have offered their time and been enthusiastic about our Gardens & little painting project over this term, without you this could not have been achieved – Many thanks.
Painting of the Toilet wall is almost complete, Julia Weston has done a brilliant job on bringing a fresh, fun colorful aspect to one of our main entries at school.
Julia had some of the kids in 2A help with the flowers, they did a fantastic job, thank you to Georgia Papamicheal, Maya Weston,Airi Weston, Jade Bardwell and Jordy Macdonald, Great job kids!
Planting & Edging should be complete this week also. Spraying of weeds will be finalized on the school holidays, Green Thumbs were planning to meet on Thursday 2 July @ 10.30am for some light gardening – weather pending. We look forward to starting work in the middle school gardens – Eating area.
Environment Sub-Convener Meeting
Our next meeting will be Monday 13th July at 6.30pm in the staff room, all welcome.
Energy
KPS has had their solar up & running for almost 4 weeks now, we should be able to assess how much energy has been consumed & fed to the grid on our next Electricity Bill.
Over the school holidays our Solar will be feeding the grid quite rapidly as there will not be as much power being used – this is a great saving on our power bill & our Environment footprint!
Enviro News Online
This is our last paper copy of the Enviro News, we are wanting to set the example of going paperless and moving to an Electronic Newsletter, Enviro News will be available on the Kerrimuir Website, under the sustainability Tab. http://www.kerrimuirps.vic.edu.au
We hope to be able to have an E-Newsletter for all our communications and continue to Save Resources and use less paper.
If you would be interested in receiving an Electronic Newsletter via email or link, and no longer receiving a paper format, please register your interest below. This is only a registration process to gauge the interest level of parents/carers – subject to authorization by Principal & school council.
Registration for KPS E-Newsletter – (save Energy – save Resources)
Name:________________________________________________________________________________
Email:_______________________________________________________________________________
Childs Class/Teacher ________________________________________________________________
Date_________________________________________________________________________________
Monday, June 15, 2009
KPS ENVIRO-NEWS Edition 16– 18 June 09
Hi All,
WELCOME THE WATER TANKS
KPS will have their new Steel water tanks installed this week, look out for them in the Caged Area near the library/Junior School Building. Diagram below shows us how it all works – all we need is rain
Why Steel?
Strength of steel
Steel tanks do not bulge or stretch when full. The strength of steel means the tanks comfortably hold the large forces generated by tonnes of water. Steel tanks have been around for more than 100 years so the structural long life is a proven fact. In addition this strength will not deteriorate over time under the harsh Australian sun as with other materials.
Longer life
In the early days steel tanks where just plain galvanised steel and after many years could begin to rust from the inside. This is a thing of the past with modern tank steel which has a long life polymer coating. This polymer coating is on the inside of the tank walls and on both sides of the base (inside and out). The water never touches the steel and now the tanks carry a 20 year warranty against corrosion! The strength of steel and the longevity of polymer coating.........best of both worlds.
These tanks are also Fully Recyclable with a low environmental foot-print compared with other tank materials used.
The Rainbank – how it all works..
RECYCLING
All our Recycling Bins, General Waste & Garden Organics Bins will be moved to the Caged Bin Area behind the canteen in the car-park. There will be clear access for bins to be brought out each day.
Keep up your ‘rubbish free’ lunch boxes!
KPS Gardens & Grounds
Thank you to all parents & students who are always helping with works around the school, Wednesdays have been a little wet & cold which has kept us away, all back in full force now to finish the garden in front of the Toilets.
All welcome to the next Environment Meeting on 13th July 2009 @ 6.30pm – staff room.
WELCOME THE WATER TANKS
KPS will have their new Steel water tanks installed this week, look out for them in the Caged Area near the library/Junior School Building. Diagram below shows us how it all works – all we need is rain
Why Steel?
Strength of steel
Steel tanks do not bulge or stretch when full. The strength of steel means the tanks comfortably hold the large forces generated by tonnes of water. Steel tanks have been around for more than 100 years so the structural long life is a proven fact. In addition this strength will not deteriorate over time under the harsh Australian sun as with other materials.
Longer life
In the early days steel tanks where just plain galvanised steel and after many years could begin to rust from the inside. This is a thing of the past with modern tank steel which has a long life polymer coating. This polymer coating is on the inside of the tank walls and on both sides of the base (inside and out). The water never touches the steel and now the tanks carry a 20 year warranty against corrosion! The strength of steel and the longevity of polymer coating.........best of both worlds.
These tanks are also Fully Recyclable with a low environmental foot-print compared with other tank materials used.
The Rainbank – how it all works..
RECYCLING
All our Recycling Bins, General Waste & Garden Organics Bins will be moved to the Caged Bin Area behind the canteen in the car-park. There will be clear access for bins to be brought out each day.
Keep up your ‘rubbish free’ lunch boxes!
KPS Gardens & Grounds
Thank you to all parents & students who are always helping with works around the school, Wednesdays have been a little wet & cold which has kept us away, all back in full force now to finish the garden in front of the Toilets.
All welcome to the next Environment Meeting on 13th July 2009 @ 6.30pm – staff room.
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