The Horticulture Club of the Upper School organized a ‘Tree Planting Project’ to celebrate the World Environment Day 2018, with the area behind the Gaster Block being planted with medicinal herbs.
The event was attended by the Vice Principal, Mr. J. D. Wilson, the Sectional Head of Grade 10 and 11, Mr. Somasiri, Mrs. Hitinayake (the Teacher-in-Charge), and teachers from the Upper school.
The project was initiated with the intention of establishing a medicinal herb garden in the Upper School, promoting the study of botanical terms and creating a green learning environment in the Upper school.
The day commenced at 8.30a.m. with the arrival of Mr. Wilson. The plants were brought to the site by the members of the Horticulture Club. The president of the club, Master Mohommed Shaahid delivered a commencement speech, this was followed by the planting of the first herb, a long pepper plant, Piper longum by Mr. Wilson and Master Shaahid.
Afterwards, the other herbal plants were planted by Mrs. Hitinayake (TIC) and the other members of the club. All the plants were of medicinal value and were labelled accordingly. The event concluded after all the herbs were planted and watered. The club hopes to maintain and expand the garden.
The “Tree Planting Project” is one of the many events lined up in the club’s roster. The club has plans for a ‘Polythene Awareness Program’, ‘Plant Identification and Labelling Project’ and the ‘Planting of a Red Rose to Commemorate Prince Edward’s Visit to Trinity College’.
The ‘Medicinal Herb Garden’, first phase of the ‘Tree Planting Project’, would be completed in the months to come with the expansion of the herbal garden.
The members of the club hope the garden will help students with their understanding of Botany. Furthermore, the members and Mrs. Hitinayake (TIC) said that the Horticulture Club would be labelling the plants with both the English and botanical terms which would be of great assistance to the Upper School students in the future.
Review by Parinda Ratnayake
