A vast ocean, mountain ranges and rivers separate Swan Reach Primary School from Argentina, Paraguay, Guatemala and Peru.
But despite these distances, despite language differences and time zones, students by the banks of the Tambo River are engaged in exciting, meaningful work with students in these South American countries.
Through a project known as the Environment Recovery Initiative, students are investigating a local environmental rehabilitation initiative, sharing their findings and creating an action plan to develop their own Initiative in their
local community.
As they do this, the Swan Reach students are sharing their experiences, their ideas and their action with students in schools in the Latin American countries.
Likewise, they, and students in a Queensland school, are learning about the progress these students thousands of kilometres away
are making.
Rehabilitating their school’s “Secret Garden” is the focus of the students’ project work and, as grade six student Jackson said, “I am really looking forward to seeing the beautiful secret garden being rehabilitated into a jungle rain forest that will have a bit of wildlife as well”.
Fellow grade six student
Freya agreed
“I’m so excited to be able to rehabilitate our school’s Secret Garden. I can’t wait for it to be completed because it is my favourite place in the school,” she said.
Freya was supported by grade five student Kellen.
“I’m ready to return the area to its former glory,” he said.
The Swan Reach students are motivated and excited by their international collaboration.
“I really love that we are doing the Environmental Recovery Initiative with schools around the world and that we are able to help our beloved secret garden with my amazing teacher and classmates,” grade six student Edith said.
Jake from grade five appreciates the international exchange.
“I enjoyed making the video to send to the schools in South America,” he said.
“I really liked watching their videos and learning about their schools.”
Teacher Travis Jorgensen said that the ERI project “has been an exciting program that has allowed our students to meet and interact with students from the other side of the world, all while learning more about our local environment, gaining real-world skills and ultimately creating an amazing space within
our school”.
