Daily, we juggle a lot—school, work, chores, and friends. It can be hard to find time for a cause or hobby. But often, making a positive impact is about making small, conscious choices in our lives, and it doesn’t have to take up much time or effort. As 2025 Sustainability Captain, my goal is to make sustainability a more accessible cause that everyone can be involved in.
Queenwood has already made great progress by switching to green energy providers, using compostable cutlery in the canteen, installing solar panels in Lawrance, and using LED lights for the majority of our lighting. These initiatives have significantly reduced our carbon footprint and raised awareness of the importance of being environmentally friendly. However, there is always more we can do.
Australia has recently overtaken the US as the largest consumer of textiles per capita, much of which is due to fast fashion. Clothes from fast fashion brands often end up in landfills, wasting the resources and energy used to create and transport them. We can reduce this impact by supporting businesses that focus on sustainability—look for labels like ‘FSC’ or research brands before making purchases. It’s also important to make the most of what we already have, whether it’s stationery, furniture, or devices, and repair these items whenever possible.
Kindergarten to Year 12 students at Queenwood learn about a range of sustainability topics, from reducing energy use to building sustainable urban environments. Recently, Year 11 has studied the Democratic Republic of Congo, the leading supplier of cobalt. As demand for environmentally friendly and clean energy grows, cobalt has become essential. However, mining for cobalt often relies on the exploitation of natural land and people, involving unsafe working conditions and land degradation. Even though cobalt is key to clean energy technologies, its current use and disposal harm communities and the environment.
Many of us have old devices at home, lying unused in drawers or boxes. These devices might seem worthless, but they contain valuable metals and components that can be reused or recycled to make new products. Recycling them reduces the strain on natural resources and cuts down waste. This term, Queenwood will hold a device drive where students and staff can bring in old devices and receive a baked treat in return. The devices will be assessed by Phone Cycle and proceeds from their value will go to Save the Children.
Over the coming year, I plan to create a detailed plan for sustainability initiatives. Engaging students in shaping a more sustainable future is essential, and I hope to work with the SRC to develop new focus areas. By bringing together different perspectives, we can make sustainability a cause everyone at Queenwood can take part in.
Alissia Jollie-Poole
Sustainability Captain 2025