Grade 8 Natural Science Students learning about ecology in the Biodiversity Garden. (Feb 2024)

Clicking Stream Frog (Strongylopus grayii) found in our biodiversity garden.

Grade 11 Life Science students at Kirstenbosch Botanical gardens

Sugarbush Protea (Protea repens) found in our biodiversity garden

Kate Jack (Sustainability Coordinator, Pinelands High School), with Lanah Murray (School Coordinator, Nature Connect) and Jocelyn Anderson (Manager, Sustainable Schools Programme) at the Awards Ceremony

Pinelands High School has been actively involved in outdoor education for over 30 years, making field trips and camps a core priority. However, we always felt we could do more in terms of environmental education and action. With so many environmental challenges facing us, it can be overwhelming to decide exactly where to focus our efforts.

In 2016, we joined the Eco-Schools programme, followed by the Sustainable Schools programme in 2021. These initiatives provided a strategic framework for our environmental activities and education, along with the invaluable support of Sustainable Schools’ staff and educators from other institutions. The Most Sustainable School in SA award we received last week recognises all the environmental education and action initiatives undertaken by our school in 2024.

At Pinelands High School, environmental topics are integrated into various school subjects such as Economic Management Sciences, Life Orientation, Life Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Consumer Studies. They are also included in assessments—for example, English language papers focused on the climate crisis, or Science Fair projects exploring the management of food waste using black soldier fly larvae. Staff professional development in 2024 emphasised reducing plastic waste and connecting school activities to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Staff who make extraordinary contributions to environmental action and education are celebrated with the “Happy Turtle Awards.”

Various societies and programmes at our school support education for sustainable development. The Eco-club organises environmental competitions, the Photography Club documents our school’s biodiversity, and the Interact Society participates in beach clean-ups and tree-planting days. Our Academic Lecture Series invites experts to share their passion and expertise with the broader school community; in 2024, these lectures included topics such as African Dinosaurs, Urban Water Systems, and Careers in Veterinary Science. Next week we are hosting Professor Annie Chimphango speaking on ‘Chemical Engineering for Advancing Sustainable Development’.

Our biodiversity garden serves as an outdoor learning space, an urban nature reserve, and a tranquil area where students can connect with nature. Recently, two of our Life Science laboratories were given direct access to this garden. In 2024, the garden became part of the Fynbos Corridor Collaboration, and our species list on iNaturalist (a global citizen science platform documenting biodiversity) now exceeds 300 species. Additionally, we recently established a Fynbos Restoration garden at the back of our school property.

The earth needs people who love and care for it. Schools provide an ideal environment to learn about our incredible planet and explore practical ways each of us can contribute to protecting it.

If your school is interested in joining the Sustainable Schools programme, visit their website: https://sustainableschools.natureconnect.earth/, or contact Lanah Murray at lanahm@natureconnect.earth

Author: Ms Kate Jack