Torquay College Guardian's of our future project

Torquay College Guardian’s of our future project

From left, college leaders Jahdie Aldana-Eustace and Alice Lutz, Ruby Smith, school assistant principal Simon Pocervina, Jye Pocervina, Gage Bell and college leader Tully Eddy. Photos: NATHAN RIVALLAND

TORQUAY College are helping their students be guardians of their future goals through a Prep to Grade 6 buddy tree planting program that encourages student growth and achievement both physically and symbolically.

On Thursday, the school launched their second annual Guardians of our Future project, with more than 80 Prep students receiving an indigenous plant from their Grade 6 buddy which the former will look after and watch grow over the next seven years of their schooling.

Students were joined by Geelong Cats star Jack Bowes, new school principal Simon O’Brien, assistant principal Simon Pocervina and parents of the school for the special tree planting exercise.

Mr Pocervina said the Guardians of our Future project was as a fantastic initiative that would see students “grow alongside their tree throughout their schooling journey.”

From left, Dan Pacey, Torquay College assistant principal Simon Pocervina, Torquay College principal Simon O’Brien, Simon Reid, Percy Reid and Geelong Cats player Jack Bowes.

“We were approached by some parents at the start of last year about a way that students could have something to look after and be proud of throughout their time at the college.

“We thought planting indigenous trees was a fantastic and symbolic way to mark a student’s growth at the college… particularly from Prep to Grade 6 in which we expect students to grow in many aspects of their lives.

“The students will essentially have ownership of that tree for the next seven years before passing it down to a Prep student in 2028 when they leave the school.”

“It’s a wonderful and powerful initiative that we are thrilled to be supporting.”

On top of both the symbolic meaningfulness of the project, Mr Pocervina also said the tree planting aligned well with the college’s sustainability goals.

“We have a huge footprint here at Torquay College and want to make sure we are doing our best to maintain our beautiful environment.

“Out towards the back of the oval was looking pretty thin with trees and cover and we thought the tree planting project was another great way we could enhance the natural environment of our college.

“By the end of the full cycle of the tree planting process, we will up to 800 trees planted, and then we will kick it all off again.”