Our Student Representative Council (SRC) is excited to share the remarkable highlights of the 2023 Whittlesea Environmental Youth Summit at the Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre which took place right on World Environmental Day of Monday, 5th June.
This year’s theme, focused on environmental sustainability, provided a platform for our Environmental student leaders to engage in inspiring sustainability stories, learn about local solutions, and explore how they can act at all levels.
The Youth Summit brought together 220 students from 19 different schools in the Whittlesea area, all eager to make a positive impact on our environment. The day commenced with a warm Welcome to Country, a significant moment of respect for the traditional custodians of the land.
We were honoured to have Craig Lloyd, CEO and Administrator Christiaan Zahra AM, from the City of Whittlesea, extend their heartfelt welcome to all participating schools.
The summit was divided into several engaging sessions, each designed to empower our students and promote sustainability. In the first session, students had the opportunity to interact with a panel of experts, asking thought-provoking questions related to sustainability and gaining valuable insights from their expertise.
In the second session, three schools presented their sustainability projects. Our Environmental Captains Areeba Bilal and Sagal Hassan took the stage to deliver an inspiring speech on the recycling project run at Al Siraat. They shared their knowledge and experiences, highlighting the importance of recycling and the positive impact it has had within our school community. Their passion and dedication to creating a greener future were evident in their engaging presentation.
The third session, students had the opportunity to participate in a hands-on workshop focused on student leadership development. Here, they learned practical skills in crafting elevator speeches and idea pitches, equipping them with the tools to effectively communicate their sustainability work with confidence.
The final session of the day featured a thought-provoking short film titled “Regenerating Australia”. This film brought our schools together, inspiring them to collaborate and develop pledges that would encourage a commitment to implementing sustainable practices within their school communities.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Youth Development Officer team from the City of Whittlesea for their exceptional support. Their dedication ensured that all attendees’ needs were met, including providing halal meal options and arranging prayer facilities for our students.
We commend all the student leaders who participated in the Whittlesea Environmental Youth Summit for their active involvement and enthusiasm throughout the day. Your commitment to environmental sustainability is commendable. Let us continue to foster and nurture our students’ passion for environmental sustainability. Together, we can create a greener and more sustainable world for generations to come.