Work submitted by students at St Columba's - Photo: Adi Mariana Waqa
St Columba's College in Essendon embarked on their Season of Creation celebrations with creativity and rigor! Leading up to the month of September, students collected over 3,000 bottle lids which will be put through their state-of-the-art facility transforming lids into plastic sheets which are used to create items such as plant pots, pens, and combs.
Additionally, students from all year levels were involved in a competition where schoolhouses decorated a plant pot with images of being at peace with God's creation. Columban Schools Partnership Coordinator , Ms Mariana Waqa, was invited to be one of three judges alongside School Board member Mr Peter Kelly and Australian Labour Party Representative for Maribyrnong, Ms Jo Briskey. The judges were impressed by the students’ creativity, artistic collaboration between year levels, and thoughtful messaging that connected their house names to the theme of “peace” or “shalom” with God's creation.
Mr Peter Kelly, Ms Jo Brisky, and Columban Partnership Coordinator Ms Mariana Waqa - Photo: Adi Mariana Waqa
The enthusiasm shown by the teachers and students at St Columba's College highlights the inter-generational work needed to ensure a holistic approach to environmental issues that threaten the future of our children and youth. These Season of Creation activities help students understand the interconnectedness of social, economic, and environmental issues by implementing sustainable practices at the College that provide resources and promote solidarity across different age groups. They also invite young minds to contemplate on the Christian duty to be good stewards of God's creation by using technology and art to advocate for the wellbeing of both humanity and the ecological world. In his encyclical titled "Laudato Si," the late Pope Francis issued a reminder that caring for the environment is not just an ethical duty but a spiritual one that calls for healing, restoration, and peace with God's creation. St Columba's College in 2025, has shown that this vision is possible when young people are guided by educators and informed through their faith to take action on the ecological crises' of today.
Adi Mariana Waqa is the Partnership Coordinator at St Columbans, Essendon.
