The project has been represented on the world stage once again, and has welcomed esteemed guests to the school
Rosmini's The Ocean that Connects Us (TOTCUS) project was recently chosen as one of seven projects showcased across Asia at a UN-sponsored Regional Dialogue demonstrating school climate action projects.
Students Quillan Drum (Y12) and Matthius Meylemans (Y9) joined Mr Wood and five students and their teacher from our Punta Arenas (Chile) TOTCUS partners to celebrate Earth Day and share TOTCUS to schools in the Middle East, South and East Asia region.
Rosmini was the first school showcased, following an excellent line of thought laid by Dr Emma Porio, who is the main author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
In house, TOTCUS has hosted three presentations recently. Our first guest for 'TOTCUS Fridays' was water scientist and statistician Dr Nadia Dikareva from Water Care. Dr Dikareva focused on introducing the students to the new Council Environmental Portal, which will help them find project data.
The second speaker was our local Member of Parliament, the Honorable Simon Watts. Mr Watts shared with the boys some of the balancing actions needed to help sustain the various interests of our community. He welcomed the boys' input and commended them for their focus on climate change and reinforced to them how important it is to build global collaborations, like TOTCUS.
Last Friday, Zooming in from Wellington was senior editor for climate and politics at the Newsroom was Mr Marc Daadler. In 30 minutes, with moderation guidance from Y12 student Cale Jewson, Mr Daadler navigated 14 questions, again reinforcing the importance to the students that we must keep learning and seeking answers and actions that will help our Planet.
Looking ahead, more students and schools are joining us, more presentations and workshops and engagement. It is unfortunate that our September camp needed to be cancelled (world stability), however we will be welcoming ten TOTCUS students from Rapa Nui / Easter Island and we are looking forward to community engagement growing.
Mr Geoff Wood
