The Grounds and Environment Group

So far in 2018, the gardens and outdoor spaces were transformed by a handful of parents on weekends to bring about a great transformation to the main areas of the school. We now have beautiful and shaded outdoor seating areas for more students than before and these are being used as learning areas as well.

Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest

Our school grounds are home to one of the remaining fragments of the Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest, which since European settlement has been reduced to just 0.5% of its original area. Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest is protected as an Endangered Ecological Community (EEC), under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 and a Critically Endangered Ecological Community under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Whilst it is a small remnant patch of bushland it does form part of a wildlife corridor for species that rely on this habitat. The mature trees may provide hollows for Australia's largest owl, the Powerful Owl and also for the Glossy Black-Cockatoo.

In 2008 and 2014, the P&C received funding from Ku-ring-gai Council to undertake bush regeneration. Whilst this was very beneficial in removing weeds and allowing native species to grow, it only provided short-term assistance.

For long-term management of the site, we hope, with assistance from Ku-ring-gai Council's Bushcare Team, to establish the St Ives High School Bushcare Group to maintain this rare bushland area for future students and long-term benefits for the local environment.

What is E-Branch

E-Branch was established in 2010 as a joint school and Parents and Citizens' (P&C) initiative and St Ives High's  original environment group. It consisted of students, the school's General Assistant (GA), the Head Teacher Administration, and the P&C Environment Coordinator.

Through the years, E branch has provided students with many opportunities to undertake leadership roles. Founding members have managed projects energetically with enthusiasm and pride. The E branch logo was designed by one of our students and drew high praise from a leading Australian artist. Projects have been funded by the P&C or by the students' own fundraising initiatives.

The founding members of E branch have since graduated from St Ives High, however, their legacy lives on and continues to inspire new students, parents and teachers. 

Previous projects

The founding members of E branch built many environments and sustainability features at the school from 2010-2017, which include:

·       double compost enclosure

·       enclosed raised garden 

·       a renovated shed

·       artwork around the small water tank

·       native shrub species planted in front of the 2 large water tanks to beautify the site

·       environment desk and bookcase constructed from recycled wood, located in the school library

·       Library Outdoor Learning Area (LOLA)

The founding members of E branch have since graduated from St Ives High, however, their legacy lives on and continues to inspire new students, parents and teachers.