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MAD
Week
During May 1997, Sherwood State School held a week of Music, Arts, Drama
(MAD) activities that culminated in sharing day between classes and
the local community. Some outstanding art was produced and the creek
featured in many of the activities.
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The
Nature Area is a valuable educational and recreational resource for Sherwood
State School. It provides a wildlife corridor that links with Oxley Creek,
preserving many local plant and animal species. The Nature Area was established
on 29 July 1971 on an open area of ground near the swimming pool. It was
a joint project involving the P & C Association, Mrs Anne Knowlman,
teachers and Mr David Hanger, a well-known authority on Australian native
plants. The aim was to establish several different micro-environments
to encourage students to appreciate all types of life - from micro-organism
to larger animals and plants. Many of the school families involved in
the establishment of the Nature Area have children and grandchildren at
the school, who are involved in the continued maintenance and development
of the area.
 The
1974 flood had a considerable effect on the Nature Area and in 1980 David
Hanger suggested modifications to the original plan to provide plants
that could withstand extreme conditions of wet/dry, while retaining diversity.
The recommendations were not followed up.
By
1985, the Nature Area had reverted to a swampy open grassland, with only
a few of the original plantings left (Melaleuca leucodendra). QIT,
Department of Applied Science, Planning and Landscape Architecture surveyed
the Area as part of an annual project for students. A four stage plan
was drawn up and work commenced on the restoration of the Nature Area.
In
1986/87, the paths, brickwork and circle of stumps were installed. Plants
were purchased from David Hanger's nursery and students from Sherwood
School were involved as part of their Social Studies Project. The aim
was to establish representative areas of different environments along
the Queensland east coast to provide educational material for the school's
students.
In
1987, funding was cut and the project was not completed. The QIT lecturer
involved, Glenn Thomas is still keenly interested in the Nature Area and
its development. In 1996, the Nature Area had again reverted to a wilderness.
It was overgrown with weeds. A group called the Friends of the Nature
Area (FONA) was started by Wendy Kathage (a school parent). FONA involved
students from the school managing the development of the Nature Area.
Weeds were removed, new plantings commenced, a student newsletter was
started and FONA student representatives were elected. Outside groups
such as Men of the Trees were involved in tree planting projects and the
FONA Club now became an important part of the school's extension activities.
As
well as working on the Nature Area, members of the FONA Club are involved
with wider community projects such as the Strickland Terrace, Parklands
regeneration programme, the restoration of Hives Park, the revegetation
of the Whitco site and with other catchment projects.
The
establishment of the Nature Area is one of the earliest environmental
initiatives in the state school system. It has been the catalyst for many
inspired projects during its time of existence; and even when its distance
from the main part of the school seems to work against it, the Nature
Area still maintains its own special place in the community.
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