World Environment Day

Sunshine Coast Grammar School celebrates World Environment Day with student-led sustainability initiatives

As the world observes World Environment Day, Sunshine Coast Grammar School reflects on the significance of this global event and reaffirms its dedication to environmental sustainability and stewardship.

World Environment Day serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to protect our planet and ecosystems. At Grammar, environmental sustainability is ingrained in our philosophy and we recognise the importance of preparing our students locally, nationally and globally and equipping them with the knowledge and skills to become responsible global citizens.

The spirit of environmental stewardship continues to thrive within our school community, with our Year 2 students launching an inspiring wrapper-free lunchbox initiative to demonstrate their commitment to making a difference in our school and beyond. This simple yet powerful initiative reduces waste and encourages mindfulness about consumption and the environmental footprint of our daily choices.

From our youngest learners to our senior students, each member of our community plays a vital role in fostering a culture of environmental sustainability. Through school-wide initiatives and hands-on learning experiences, we actively engage our students in addressing environmental challenges while delivering on the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). Since 2009, our Grammar Helping Hands program has been at the forefront of our efforts, empowering students to make a tangible difference in our community and beyond.

Led by Mr Ben Princehorn, our Grammar Helping Hands Co-Curricular Program stands as a testament to the school’s vision, integrating community engagement, sustainability initiatives and leadership development into our students’ educational journey.

“We believe in nurturing changemakers who are equipped to make a positive difference in the world,” said Mr Ben Princehorn, Coordinator of Community and Service.

Our students have demonstrated a remarkable commitment to environmental care through initiatives such as beach clean-up days, which have resulted in the removal of over one tonne of rubbish from local beaches. Their dedication extends to local and global projects, including tree-planting initiatives, clothes swaps and recycling projects as well as leadership tours to countries such as Timor Leste.

The driving force behind the success of Grammar Helping Hands is the genuine interest and passion of our students and staff to deliver sustainable change. Their enthusiasm and initiative have been instrumental in delivering impactful projects that contribute to the UNSDGs and foster a sense of social responsibility and environmental stewardship.

This World Environment Day, we are proud to recognise and celebrate the efforts and initiatives that we implement every day. At Grammar, we have a rich history of environmental stewardship and remain committed to delivering a greener future. We are #GenerationRestoration