By Jonty Ralphsmith
Eleven schools in the City of Casey are seeking to foster an appreciation for preserving the marine environment and develop leadership skills by participating in this year’s ‘I Sea I Care’ marine ambassador program.
There are a handful of students, known as ambassadors, from each participating school, mostly in years five and six, who take part in termly workshops.
Excursions to Seal Rocks at Phillip Island and swimming with dolphins are the highlights as the Dolphin Research Institute, the organisation that runs the program, emphasises the significance of practical education.
“You can’t put a price on experiential learning,” said I Sea I Care education director Mandy Robertson.
“It immerses them in the very issues, causes and solutions we’re trying to teach them about – just going to a classroom and talking is really dry so I want them to see their environment.”
The students learn how to deliver interactive lessons to their peers early in the year to raise awareness about sustainability around the school, while also developing the ambassadors’ public speaking.
“We obviously use the marine environment as our focus but the program is designed to develop the students as leaders in whatever they want to pursue,” Mandy said.
“Obviously we hope they will continue to be advocates for the marine environment but it could lead them in lots of different ways because [the program] helps develop the students as future leaders or strong social justice champions.”
At most schools there is an application process to be involved in the program, and Strathaird Primary School Students, Lyra, Sarah, Theodore, River, and Azaria were announced as 2022’s ambassadors at an assembly at the end of last year.
“To be a marine ambassador will be a good honour,” Lyra said.
“I’m excited to expand my knowledge and I think I could help our school keep our water nice and clean, reduce the rubbish going into the pond and help the school help the environment.”
Straithard Primary School sustainability teacher Renee Van Styn said students at the school were bringing knowledge they had learned at the program into the classroom.
“The kids have been immensely receptive,” Ms Van Styn said.
“They really love it and want [the ambassadors] to come back to their room all the time so it’s extremely popular and you hear the language coming back in the sustainability class – you can tell they have the learning and understanding from what they’ve done with the marine ambassadors.”
The I Sea I Care program adapted to the virtual world of the pandemic, introducing fortnightly online sessions where the students discussed: climate change more broadly, fast fashion, sustainable fishing and more.
Mandy said they were a welcome addition and beyond what could be covered by the in-person program but was looking forward to getting back in to the environment in 2022.
Harkaway Primary School principal Leigh Johnson is a strong voice for developing students beyond the classroom and has long been involved in schools delivering the program, and sees immense benefits.
“The program connects with our kids and challenges them to make a difference in our community,” Mr Johnson said.
“It’s really encouraging as an educator to see kids with the power, passion and energy to make a difference.”
The Dolphin Research Institute has delivered the program to schools in the City of Casey since 2013 and was grateful to council for their support.
Council supports the program through funding and staff resources.
The following schools across the City of Casey are involved in the program: Botanic Ridge Primary School, Cranbourne Primary School, Cranbourne South Primary School, Devon Meadows Primary School, Harkaway Primary School, Pearcedale Primary School, Rangebank Primary School, Strathaird Primary School, St. Margaret’s Berwick Grammar, Tooradin Primary School, Tulliallan Primary School.
