IN South Africa, Arbor Day was first celebrated in 1983 and in 1999 the celebration was extended to National Arbor Week. It is now celebrated for the entire month of September.
At Woodgrange Primary, the month of September saw great excitement among pupils. Throughout last week, pupils brought different types of plants to school, created different posters about the importance of protecting the environment and conducted speeches at assembly about the vital role that trees play in rural and urban areas.
Not only were trees planted, some classes began Arbor Month by planting vegetable gardens. Principal Dr Maliga Chetty acknowledges all parents who purchased trees, vegetable plants and seeds.
Dr Chetty said, “It is good to note how lessons about Arbor Month have been integrated into the curriculum across all subjects,” and encourages all other parents to take part in the school’s ‘greening’ events that improve the beauty of the school.
