They are championing environmental change, sparking conversations about sustainability and inspiring action across the school community. Meet the dynamic duo leading this year’s Sustainability Council—Grade 12 student Ellen and Grade 11 student Poppy. Not only are they raising awareness, they are taking concrete steps to reduce the environmental impact of the school.
The Sustainability Council’s mission is clear: to foster a more sustainable future at Branksome Hall while encouraging students and staff to make mindful, environmentally friendly decisions. The student-run club meets every other Monday during lunchtime, gathering a passionate group that is dedicated to making a difference.
“We’re a space for students to come together and discuss climate change and sustainability,” says Poppy, who has been part of the council since Grade 10. “It’s an outlet where we can talk about things that matter to us.”
The Sustainability Council’s contributions to the Branksome Hall community include both hands-on projects and educational events. Founded about 10 years ago, the club leads initiatives such as park cleanups and Earth Week events, including a pop-up on-campus thrift shop where students buy second-hand clothes to support a not-for-profit organization. In the future, club members hope to start annual drives like pop-tab collection and battery recycling.
Lily, Branksome Hall’s sustainability mascot, is often featured at the Junior School, where the curriculum includes sustainability units and students help plant trees in the Woodlot. Ellen and Poppy both fondly remember her from their Junior School days. “She was always a fun reminder to think about sustainability in everything we do,” says Ellen, who also joined the council in Grade 10.
The Sustainability Council’s mission is clear: to foster a more sustainable future at Branksome Hall while encouraging students and staff to make mindful, environmentally friendly decisions.
Both leaders took part in ecosystem units in Grade 9 science and note that the solar panels on the roof of the Senior School Gym have saved 5.5 tonnes of CO2 since they were installed in 2009. “It’s exciting to be part of a school where sustainability is taken seriously and is part of the curriculum,” says Ellen.
The pair are deeply motivated by a sense of personal responsibility to the environment. For Ellen, a lifelong love for animals and the environment has fuelled her passion for sustainability. “I’ve always loved animals and nature, and I wanted to find a way to make real change at school,” she says.
For Poppy, it’s a topic close to home. “My dad has always been passionate about sustainability, so it’s something that’s always been top of mind in our household,” she says. Her early exposure to sustainability initiatives in the Junior School, like reducing plastic waste, inspired her to take action in the Senior & Middle School. “The service aspect of the club is important to me. It’s about making a difference in tangible ways.”
And they are indeed making a difference. With dedicated student leaders like Ellen and Poppy at the helm, the sustainability movement at Branksome Hall will continue to have an impact for years to come.
Photo: (top) The Sustainability Council and friends clean up Craigleigh Gardens.
