The innovative work of local students has been showcased internationally.
Swan Reach Primary School’s grade 5/6 students recently took part in the Environmental Recovery Initiative (ERI), an international project focused on restoring and protecting local environments.
After careful discussion, the students decided to focus their efforts on two key areas: rehabilitating the school’s “Secret Garden” back to its original rainforest-like state, and replanting sections of the Tambo River’s banks.
Students wrote letters to local businesses seeking support and with these generous contributions they set about cleaning, replanting and beginning the restoration process. Their work has included planting native and bushfire-friendly species, as well as strategies to reduce erosion along the riverbank.
Although the ERI project has officially concluded, the students are committed to continuing their efforts to care for both the Secret Garden and the Tambo River.
“The pride they have taken in their work has been inspiring, and their impact on the local environment is already being felt,” a school spokesperson said.
The project was run through iEARN, an international education network. As part of this initiative, eight teachers from South America and two from Australia, including Travis Jorgensen, the Swan Reach students’ teacher, were invited to present their students’
ERI projects at the iEARN Conference in
Antigua, Guatemala.
During the presentation, Mr Jorgensen showcased a website documenting the students’ journey, translated into Spanish, while presenting in English. The Swan Reach students were one of the youngest groups involved, and their work was very well-received by an international audience.
The conference itself featured a wide range
of global projects and discussions, many centred around literacy and reading, as well
as topics such as the use of AI in classrooms and the benefits of immersing students in nature. Mr Jorgensen said that despite the challenge of most sessions being delivered in Spanish, the experience was both rewarding and insightful.
He said the ERI project has been a remarkable experience for Swan Reach Primary School.
“The grade 5/6 students have shown great initiative, responsibility and pride in their work, making a lasting contribution to both our school grounds and our community,” Mr Jorgensen said.
