College – Issue 44

E co-Action is at the core of College, embodied by the determination of a trio of students to nurture and nourish the environment through their endeavours. Callum Kingsbury, and Hayden and James Reed have spent thousands of hours planting native trees and ensuring that they grow while also sustaining special spaces.

All three are boarders, with the Reed siblings firmly planted in Flower’s House and Callum equally at home in School House. All have been recognised for their dedication, receiving the inaugural Eco-Action Environment Award at College. Each boy is committed to literally planting the seeds of sustainability at College, bedding in the culture of Eco- Action so that it can flourish for generations to come. Both Hayden (Year 11) and James Reed (Year 10) have been lauded for their “extraordinary efforts” to care for the environment while Callum (Year 12) has been praised for his “unwavering commitment

an outstanding contribution to the trust,” David says. “He exhibits a remarkable presence during Tuesday and Friday plantings, demonstrating exceptional leadership and teamwork skills as he tirelessly applies his accumulated expertise while simultaneously sharing his knowledge with others.” Meanwhile, the sustainability- focused siblings have spent 3000 hours each planting trees, releasing them, and carrying out spraying – along with removing tree guards – for a large community catchment project on the banks of the Selwyn River. Remarkably, the Flower’s House pair have planted more than 12 kilometres of native trees as riparian planting. They also mow and maintain a public walking track in the area. “The skills they have learnt are impressive and act as a tribute to being kaitiaki (guardians) of the area while also improving and protecting the native biodiversity,” David says.

to tree-planting initiatives”. All three have proved to be

integral to the ongoing success of the Eco-Action Nursery Trust, co-founded by College teacher David Newton. “With nearly 100 hours dedicated to this vital cause, Callum has demonstrated true passion and

Above: Callum Kingsbury (middle), with Head of Environment Matthew Flint and Eco-Action Nursery Trust co-founder David Newton.

COLLEGE 2024

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