Go LEAF Go!

Congratulations to LEAF for all the successful initiatives so far - what a great 2012!

Let's hope this inspires more students to turn Dover Campus into a showcase for sustainability in 2013. Okay, so there's a long way to go...but this shows that we're going in the right direction!

UN Night - Plastic Free!

This UN night, the campus community came together, not only culturally, but environmentally. Through everyone's amazing efforts, we managed to successfully have a Plastic Free evening.

The LEAF team heavily  encouraged people to bring their own bowls and cutlery, whilst also supplying biodegradable cutlery, bowls and paper plates that could be borrowed at a 2$ deposit on the night. There was a pleasantly surprising number of people at the event who brought their own and those who didn't had no other choice but to use the corn-ware cutlery. When people returned their cutlery they received their 2$ back, as we wanted to ensure they were recycled accordingly. However, 550$ were made off the deposits that people did not return and this will go to the planting of 110 trees!

The Earth benefitted and we benefitted. I sure I am getting sick of having plastic in my diet and this was the first significant step to the future eradication in our school community. Thank you all again and stay updated!

Week Five - where we stand

So far this term, LEAF has made $85 selling popcorn at the UWCSEA Staff's Got Talent show, which will go to planting 17 trees. The popcorn was homemade and the bags for it were made from recycled magazines and newspaper.

An update on UN Night - we are going for no-plastics rather than no-waste, and focus our efforts on this. 

We will either rent cutlery from the school canteen (Sodexo), or use biodegradable cutlery - such as cornstarch or wood. For plates and bowls we will supply either banana leafs or paper. Both the cutlery and plates/bowls will be available at each stall. 

But most importantly we are strongly advertising guests to bring their own cutlery and food containers because this is the most sustainable option.

By Vaidehi Agrawalla Grade 11 LEAF member

LEAF term 1

Welcome back to another green year! Although we may have had a nice break over the summer, it is time to get straight back to work on sustainability on campus. Plastics remain a problem on the campus, as recycling is still  not up and running and consumption rates are still high. However, our determination will not be fazed. The card initiative of last year is still up and running and we hope for positive results.
This year's UN night strives to be waste-free. This will be tough, but doable. Essentially LEAF members will provide cutlery/bowls which can be rented and returned on a deposit basis or guests can bring their own. This would be a significant achievement were it to be a success.
Prior to that evening, LEAF will act as a sustainability assessment group for other on campus events such as an arts evening in September and provide used clothing for Peace day participants. Electronics recycling continues on from last year, so feel free to drop off any used battereries/phones/camera's at the main reception anytime.
World Food Day, a global day of reflection on the issues of the food system and the reality that many still are suffering from lack of food, is coming up in October. Perhaps a chance to get back with our roots and celebrate the power of agriculture? Later on in November, a movie screening of 'Cape Spin' an issue regarding green energy activism in the USA will be broadcasted for the first time in Singapore! All people welcome, for a small donation fee for the cause.
A lot of exciting things going on environmentally on campus this term! So keep yourself updated!

Welcome to the new year

Hi everyone,

Welcome back to UWCSEA 2012/13. This year we are going to have a big push on creating a greener more sustainable campus and we need everyones help with this.
Some things to think about:
Paper - please try and reuse paper, and when finished with it, please use the recycling boxes in each classroom. These will be emptied each week by Green Campus members
Plastics - watch this space. A goal for the year is to rid the campus of excess plastic containers. Ask for plates when getting food, bring your own cups for coffee and drinks, use the water fountains.
Plant for the planet - Tree planting on and off campus - off set your carbon emissions by buying trees for planting in Ladakh. See Evelyn Mayo for further tree advice.
Composting - Try your hand at a new service and go green at the same time.
Transport - Do you really need a ride to school each day? Can you share a car with your friends or even better can you take the bus or ride your bike in?
Plus many more great things happening............More to be revealed.

For information on any of these or if you have some great new ideas, or just want to be involved please email   car@uwcsea.edu.sg   or  nhu@uwcsea.edu.sg

Tell your friends about this site and lets pass on the Green wave for 2012/13

Environmental Week 2012 is officially over!

Thank you all on behalf of all the environmental GCs (LEAF, Rainforest Nursery, PAW and Tiger Watch) and teacher coordinators for your enthusiastic support throughout the week.

From the clothing drive, to snow cone sale and from the tree plantations to various sales and activities under the tent, we have made a successful event thus managed to spread awareness about various aspects of the environment.

Moreover, from the Green Mufti Day, we have managed to raise money for over 100 trees to be planted in Ladakh!

Let's spread the UWC Spirit and continue to play our part in saving and making the environment more sustainable! See you all in Environmental Week 2013!

Be Green! Enjoy the photos of the displays under the tent!

Last week''s Tree planting was a great success; thanks to all those who turned out and helped make our campus a greener and more biodiverse place. 4 trees were planted, all species indigenous to South East Asia. Please stay involved this week and join one of the Environmental Groups on Campus if you can.

Hi everyone!


Guess what? Green Week is next week! From the 23rd May to 28th May.
There will be fun-filled activities organized by Environmental Global Concerns! YAY!


Here are the plans for Green Week! 

I'm not an environmentalist.  I'm an Earth warrior.  ~Darryl Cherney, quoted in Smithsonian

There will be tree planting activities organized by Mr. Hunt, to replace some destroyed or removed in the new construction and ones that died naturally. The tree planting will be held on the following dates:

Wednesday 23rd May 1.15 pm beside Corner of Tennis Courts/Swimming Pool

Thursday 24th May: 1.15 on slope above cricket nets behind facilities office.

Friday 25th: May 10 am: Beside Cafe Vive / near New entrance to MS building

Anyone can come and help to plant these three trees, very meaningful.

23rd May :
- Electronics recycling under the tent (used phones/batteries etc) until 30th May
- Tree planting at 1.15 pm with Nathan Hunt between tennis courts and swimming pool / touch pitch (first 5 there receive free friendship bracelet)

-Collection of LEAF cards

24th May:
-Clothing drive sold in tree value (1/2 tree = 2.50$ , 1 tree = 5.00$)
- Tree planting with Nathan Hunt at 1.15 pm on slope above cricket nets behind facilities office
- Tiger watch merchandise for sale

25th May: 
-Snow cone sale under the tent lunch time
- Tree planting with Nathan Hunt at 10am beside cafe vive
- Tiger watch Bake Sale at Break

28th May:
- GREEN MUFTI Focus Day for tree planting. The proceeds will go to the Ladakh Forestation Project. 

-Wishing Tree. Where people can write their wishes for the Environment - come and leave your mark in chalk
-Tutor Group Survey on Eco-Issues. Help us help you on improving the school's environment!

-Tutor group electronics collection competition

-Gr5 sustainability displays

29th  May:
- presentation on Plant For the Planet during tutor group by Evelyn and Ginger Mayo

There will be decorated boards under the tent by the Environmental GCs, do have a look at them and learn more about the Environment as everyone is part of it. 

Don't blow it - good planets are hard to find.  ~Quoted in Time

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Trees in fruit

There are a few trees around the campus in fruit right now (April 2012). Have a look out for the rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) near the Ayer Rajah pitch, at the bottom of the slope behind the Science block. The tree is covered in spiky green fruits, its branches leaning right down to ground level. By June these sweet, lychee-like fruits should be bright red and ready for eating.

Higher up, beside the steps from the Ayer Rajah pitch to the path near the Art department, are two mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) trees. These flank the path. One is overshadowed by a huge raintree and has an information plaque at its base. The other has recently produced a flush of light green leaves that give it an attractive two-tone appearance. If you look closely, you will also see that the tree is covered in unripe mangosteens. By June these should have turned dark purple and contain the deliciously aromatic segments that give this fruit the nickname "queen of fruits".