PHOTO ESSAYS
Environmental Protection Efforts in SNGS
By Jovi Tay (4L)
As we progress into 2024, we become ever closer to the year 2030 where our sustainable development goals have to be achieved. Thus, efforts by multiple stakeholders such as town councils, organizations, and governments in Singapore have been coming up with new environmentally friendly systems (eg eco-friendly buses in Singapore, 550 new E-waste bins stationed all over the island) in hopes of meeting the climate goals, which would only occur with everyone’s valuable combined efforts. Particularly in our school, environmental protection efforts are increasingly evident. However, is it enough to suitably offset our school’s (of 3000 students) impact on the environment?
A small plot of land near the school’s running track, featuring a variety of plants and flowers. Students are typically instructed to stay off this path, so that the plants and soil do not get trampled on, thus preventing soil degradation. The religious statue placed under the tree also serves as a symbol for Catholic students.
The connecting ponds in our school is well known in our school but not visited often, mostly occupied by the elderly cleaners due to the tranquility of the area. The lush greenery even in this relatively secluded area shows how our school really adds environmental features to the campus, making it more aesthetically pleasing and eco-friendly as the plants serve as natural carbon sinks, and the ponds are a habitat for the wildlife living in it.
At the rooftop garden, one is greeted with a wide array of nature, especially the light pink bougainvillea installed by our very own æ ¡é•¿å©†å©†, the ex-principal of our school, remembered by students and old girls for her warm and motherly demeanor. Every morning, brilliant sunrises with golden, pinkish hues (and even a rainbow if it had rained the previous night!) can be enjoyed by students and staff alike. The natural light in the area also serves as a nice, quiet study spot for students when the weather is cool.
New shoots growing in one of the various seedling pots in the rooftop garden. The new growth of these shrubs are like glimmers of hope, signifying the new and continuous actions taken by our school to contribute to environmental preservation.
Green stop outside the canteen of our school, where students can leave their unwanted items, such as E-waste and old but clean clothes, for recycling. This reduces the amount of waste that is sent to incinerators to be burnt to dust, contributing to air pollution. This initiative is helmed by Green Club, the environmental club in our school.
Furthermore, there are bins specially for the recycling of paper in every classroom or special room (eg AVA room, ITR) in our school. This facilitates the recycling of valuable paper, so that less deforestation occurs due to our need for paper.
Chinese New Year decorations featured on more plants in our school, overlooking the track.
A wall of luxuriant plants at the Family Lounge. The abundance of such greenery at many parts of the school really enhances the campus and acts as environmental features as well.
To conclude, nature clearly holds a great significance in CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School. Hopefully, the school’s efforts to go green does not go to waste as students also have to be mindful of their actions and their impact on the environment, allowing us to truly be an environmentally friendly school.