From a butterfly sanctuary and sensory marble run through to a rose garden and even beds of chillies, peanuts and cassava – there’s been no shortage of bright ideas for ACG School Jakarta’s new Green Space project.
Adjacent to the school, the 1200 square meter plot was a blank canvas that will provide unrivalled opportunities for students to unleash their creativity, apply their learning and boost their sustainability know-how. Better still, it will create a green haven not just for ACG School Jakarta students and staff but for everyone in the surrounding community.
“We designed the Green Space to provide students, faculty and the local neighbourhood community with a communal space to grow vegetables, fruit and ornamental plants,” confirmed ACG School Jakarta Principal Shawn Hutchinson.
“Teachers and students can certainly benefit from the outdoor learning experiences, but it is the potential connection with the local community that is most exciting and motivating. The idea that is really driving this is to provide a community garden in a high-density urban area where the school and neighbourhood communities can come together and grow fresh produce for the school cafeteria and local families.”
Primary Years teacher and the school’s Eco-Warrior Club advisor, Vinnie Kaur, is heading the initiative, and she couldn’t be more excited about it.
“I am extremely passionate about promoting sustainability efforts among the ACG community and giving students opportunities to get involved and lead projects,” said Vinnie. “This green space project is a brilliant way to bring both of these things to life. Not only have students brainstormed ideas for usage of the space, but they’re also responsible for ongoing maintenance of the area in a sustainable way, including making compost.”
By taking ownership of the space, students of all year levels will extend their learning, hone their leadership skills and grow their understanding of the importance of being ‘green’.
“We want to build a culture of sustainability within the ACG community and establish habits that will continue throughout students’ lives. By being involved in the green space project, students will experience first-hand the importance of sustainability and how a small act makes a big difference. Sustainability projects help students see the global impact of their actions and encourage them to be responsible global citizens.”
The new Green Space was officially opened on April 22, Earth Day, an annual event which has been celebrated around the world since 1970.
“Student leaders kicked off the day with speeches, and this was followed by our school gardeners demonstrating the planting process,” added Vinnie. “Students from each year group then had the chance to do some of their own plantings in the space.”
Given the 2022 Earth Day theme, Invest in our Planet, it was the perfect curtain-raiser to ACG School Jakarta’s new garden oasis.
