Eco Week inspired students to reconnect with nature and rethink sustainability Old ways for new days
“Power is in the Earth; it is in your relationship to the Earth” Winona LaDuke, Native American environmental activist In a year marked by growing scepticism about the effectiveness of global climate summits such as COP, our annual Eco Week prompted us to tackle important questions: Why are current strategies falling short? Are traditional Western scientific methods enough to tackle the complexities of climate change? Could indigenous philosophies — grounded in the interconnectedness of all life — offer fresh perspectives? Eco Week invited students to step beyond textbooks, explore diverse traditions, and rekindle their connection with the natural world in meaningful and creative ways. A Week of Learning AND Creativity Eco Week began with a poignant film by Saverio Jones (Year 13), which highlighted how non- Western traditions and knowledge systems could inform innovative responses to the climate crisis. This set the tone for a week of exploration encouraging students from DUCKS to Year 13 to think critically, collaborate, and connect with nature in ways rarely covered by textbooks. Year 7 students collaborated with JAGS for a Free Learning Day that wove together Geography, DT, and Art. In Geography’s Fact or Fable workshop, they analysed how folklore and legends shape our
understanding of nature, while DT sessions saw students designing intricate images of local insects, later printed on recycled tote bags and sold at the Christmas Fair. In Art sessions, students produced a contemporary response to raranga , the Māori practice of flax weaving, creating a collaborative sculptural piece inspired by the Māori principle of kaitiakitanga — environmental guardianship. This exploration of traditional methods con- tinued with Year 10 artists, who experimented with creating their own vibrant inks from natural sources like butterfly pea flowers and cochineal. The transformation of these materials into bold, organic paintings became a fascinating blend of art and science. Meanwhile, in Art Society, students delighted in the alchemy of pyrolysis, watching how their whittled sticks of willow transformed into beautifully glistening sticks of fragile charcoal. The James Caird Hall became a sanctuary of beauty with displays of ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement. This ancient practice found modern relevance in sculptures made from plaster casts of discarded plastic, paired with vibrant flowers. These elegant pieces were sold to staff to raise funds for Eco-Schools, an environmental education charity. Ancient Knowledge for a Modern Crisis Throughout the week, students reflected on how indigenous knowledge links the health of the land to human wellbeing. Lower School History Society
by Georgia Mackie, Co-head of Free Learning
Eco Week encourages students to think critically, collaborate, and connect with nature in ways rarely covered by textbooks
world, while Maths lessons tackled data on climate change, carbon footprints, and waste management. Year 8 Drama students devised “Drowning in Plastic,” a dance-theatre piece that used household waste to explore ocean pollution. Competitions in art, poetry, essays, and debating added an engaging, competitive edge to the week. Rekindling Our Bond with Nature The week’s overarching message was clear: re- connecting with the Earth and learning from its ancient stewards is essential for creating a sustainable future. By blending ancient wisdom with modern creativity, Eco Week reminded us that the solutions to our most pressing challenges might already lie in practices that honour and respect the natural world. ◎
explored how colonial legacies continue to shape climate challenges and the push for climate reparations. Meanwhile, Creative Writing students drew inspiration from mythology, storytelling, and poetry to craft pieces that celebrated humanity’s enduring bond with nature.
In Junior School, younger students embraced nature walks, debated eco-friendly practices, and created paints from fruits and vegetables. DUCKS students engaged in leaf printing workshops and philosophy sessions, discussing how their school could adopt greener practices. Bringing Sustainability Across Disciplines Eco Week reached into every corner of the curriculum. Spanish lessons examined how lan- guage shapes our relationship with the natural
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