Kilgraston becomes Laudato Si’ School
In 2015, Pope Francis penned what was to become an important encyclical letter called, Laudato Si’.
The letter explores a number of topics relevant to the climate crisis. It incorporates scientific, theological, economic and sociological perspectives, among others. It draws on evidence from a number of diverse sources and uses the example of St Francis of Assisi as a guide for reframing our views on consumerism and stewardship of the earth.
The letter was addressed to “every person living on this planet” (#3). In doing so Pope Francis indicated that the letter was intended for not only to the international Catholic community, but all people, reinforcing the urgency for each and every one of us to take action to care for our common home.
Now five years on, in honour of its anniversary, Pope Francis is inviting schools to sign up to become ‘Laudato Si’’ schools and this month both Kilgraston Senior and Junior Schools have held special assemblies accepting this invitation.
Kilgraston’s Headmistress, Mrs MacGinty said: “In his letter, Laudato Si’, Pope Francis asks us to love God, look after each other and protect the world. He tells us about the challenges we are facing in our world and asks us to make things better.
“That is why we want to become a Laudato Si’ School, to love God, look after each other and protect the earth.”
In the Laudato Si’ letter Pope Francis highlights the importance of looking after our planet, writing, “The climate is a common good, belonging to all and meant for all” (#27). And yet, “The exploitation of the planet has already exceeded acceptable limits and we still have not solved the problem of poverty” (#27). “In fact, the deterioration of the environment and of society affects the most vulnerable people on the planet” (#48). It is our responsibility to educate those around us on the urgency at hand, to change our ways of thinking about societal norms and structures and reconnect with creation in a meaningful way that allows us to experience God in all things. That is the great hope and the great challenge of Laudato Si’. Change is possible, but it will not be easy. Thankfully, we find courage in knowing that we have a righteous cause and a loving God. Fortified in this, we dare to face questions like: “What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?” (#110).”
Now Kilgraston is committed to Laudato Si’, another example of our commitment to looking after our planet, and we look forward to many activities throughout the year to show the vital role schools play in changing the world.
Kilgraston’s commitment to the environment
Kilgraston’s Junior School has been busy charting the growth of a hedge planted in 2009, part of Kilgraston’s on-going commitment to the environment and educating our pupils on nature.
Speaking in the Catholic Universe, Ms Dana Cooper, Junior Years’ teacher and head of the school’s Eco Committee said, “We thought it would be demonstrated particularly well if we showed our eleven-year-olds what nature can do in the same period. Our pupils are particularly interested in natural habitats for indigenous wildlife, which we have an abundance of here at school, but they are also keen to create artificial habitats and, additionally, are currently building a ‘bug hotel’ out of palettes and recycled materials.”
The hedge, which is made up of hawthorn, common lime, hazel and the guelder rose, stretches along the Kilgraston beautiful countryside campus next to the school’s swimming pool. Now, eleven years since it was planted, the hedge reaches four and a half metres high in places and is almost 80 metres long.
Upper Third’s Edith, who is Head of the Junior Years Eco Committee, said: “We have been learning how the hedge provides wildlife with a natural larder.
“Birds such as thrushes, blackbirds and fieldfares love the rose hips, while bees enjoy nectar from the hawthorn and robins, red squirrels and rabbits enjoy the berries.”
This story also featured in the November issue of magazine, Scottish Field.