Cassia students join nation’s record tree-planting effort

Students at Cassia Primary School got their hands dirty and connected with nature last week as part of a nationwide tree-planting day.

Planet Ark’s National Tree Day and Schools Tree Day was held across the country last week, with students from thousands of schools and preschools heading outside to help preserve and build on the natural environment.

Cassia was the only school in Port and South Hedland to participate in the national day, and students planted more than 20 trees on the school grounds.

The mastermind behind the environmental adventure, gardening and technology teacher Jenny Neale, said the students were responding positively to the planting.

“The kids are really loving and enjoying it,” she said. “It’s a really great learning experience in a hands-on environment.

“They get an appreciation that plants take in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen and people and animals do the opposite.

“We need them to survive.”

Ms Neale said the day’s activities also encouraged the students to create gardens at home.

“By planting (the trees) it gives them ownership over a couple of trees,” she said.

Year 2 student Zoe Bagzeuin, 6, said she had her own garden at home, inspired by the garden planted at school.

“I always plant in my garden with my big tree and every small thing,” green thumb Zoe said.

Of the trees planted, the Year 2 students had the honour of planting a rare Norfolk pine on the school grounds. Celebrating 21 years of National Tree Day and Schools Tree Day, the biggest community tree-planting and nature care event saw 234,870 people plant 890,753 seedlings.