London: St Bonaventure's team plant trees for a better tomorrow

Students and staff at St Bonaventure's School in Forest Gate, east London, teamed up with Thames Chase and volunteers from Newham to plant a range of trees and hedgerows across six different areas around the school. This exciting project is part of the Trees for Climate programme, which supports schools in creating greener, healthier environments for their local community.

Six different areas around the school were chosen for planting with the help of Becky Gibson, Programmes Manager at Thames Chase, and Mr Murray, a Geography teacher and sustainability lead at St Bonaventure's.

The school received a variety of trees, including two large Bird Cherry trees, two onference Pear trees, 14 Silver Birch trees, and 75 Beech hedging plants all loaded onto the Thames Chase truck and trailer. Alongside the trees, the team brought mulch, compost, and all the tools needed to get planting.

The pupils helped unload the trailer and carefully transported trees and equipment through the school to the planting sites, and even pushed wheelbarrows full of trees through the corridors. For many of the students, this was their first time using a spade and planting a tree. They worked hard to dig holes, cover roots with soil, and secure the trees with stakes and shelters. They also added compost for nutrients and mulch to keep the soil moist and stop weeds from growing. The pupils were proud of their work and excited to care for the trees in the future.

Mr. Murray, a Geography teacher and sustainability lead at St Bonaventure's, commented: "This initiative will not only enhance biodiversity but also provide shade, improve air quality, and inspire environmental stewardship among our pupils. The Trees for Climate grant will make a transformative difference. We're committed to fostering a culture of holistic sustainability, with our pupils playing a central role in these efforts."This project was very special for the school's Eco Club, who worked hard to make the area more eco-friendly. The students were inspired by the words of Pope Francis in Laudato Si', where he encourages everyone to care for our common home. By taking part in this project, the students have shown a clear commitment to protecting the environment, supporting their local community, and living out the values of Catholic Social Teaching.

St Bonaventure's is a voluntary-aided Catholic Secondary School in Forest Gate, east London, for boys aged 11-16 and for boys and girls aged 16-18 in the Sixth Form. For more information visit - www.stbons.org/