WESSA Schools Programme Annual Report 2019/2020

Ridgeway Preparatory School

Louis Trichardt, Limpopo

ASTRID FOURIE’S STORY OF CHANGE. OUR JOURNEY AS AN ECO-SCHOOL

Our dynamic school celebrates our different cultures, encouraging unity through diversity. Set in the foothills of the Soutpansberg Mountains, roughly 2 km from Louis Trichardt, the school is surrounded by hills, trees and an abundance of wildlife. Despite this tranquil rural setting, many students knew very little about their surroundings.

GROWING AS AN ECO- SCHOOL

At our Climate Change Event (2018), our students performed dances, short plays and poetry. The school awarded businesses with certificates for recycling and environmental responsibility. Registered as a community event with 350.org, it was broadcast as part of the Climate Change Campaign. In collaboration with 350.org and other international organisations, Ridgeway created the first Young Ladies Care for their Environment Workshop , focusing on women’s empowerment in the 21s century but also on products that are safe for women and their environment.

for Fridays and schools around the world, students made posters and peacefully collected signatures outside the school to increase local awareness of climate change. Our largest community event of 2019 was the Ridgeway Climate Change March for Forest Awareness through Hangklip Forest, highlighting the role of forest preservation in combating climate change. College students presented speeches on forest preservation and the event was filmed for 350.org worldwide campaigns. Together with Mr Wally Schultz, from Saving Our Limpopo Valley Environment (SOLVE) , we created the

We started small, learning about water conservation, creating a butterfly garden and setting up owl boxes. As our interests grew our projects connected more with our community. We now host an annual Trashy Fashion Show to highlight recycling and an annual Crazy Fun Quiz Night helps students learn more about our world. We support various charities, including the SPCA and the Shoe Box Drive . In 2018, students created a vertical garden with recycled green bottles, which cools our school hall. This Green Wall Project demonstrates both recycling and wise water use.

Joining forces with 350.org, Future

When we started our Eco-Schools journey in February 2015, I had no idea what a profound effect it would have on the school – or on me as the Eco-Schools Coordinator for Ridgeway Schools!

WESSA Schools Programme | Stories of Change | 2019/2020 42

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