As WESSA marks its 100th year of educating, advocating and acting for the environment, schools across the ADvTECH network kicked off celebrations with creativity, reflection and meaningful action – demonstrating how environmental education continues to shape responsible, engaged citizens from a young age.
Learners embraced the milestone not only as a celebration, but as an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the natural world and their role in protecting it.
At Abbotts High School Pretoria East, learners reflected on the power of everyday actions through a collective initiative titled “100 Small Ways Our Students Help the Planet.”
From recycling and saving water to planting and picking up litter, learners highlighted how small, consistent behaviours contribute to a healthier planet – reinforcing a key principle of WESSA’s work over the past century: that meaningful environmental change often begins with individual action.
At The Bridge Morningside, the celebration took an interactive and exploratory approach, with learners engaging in a range of activities designed to connect them more deeply to nature.
Learners were introduced to WESSA’s role in environmental protection before taking part in hands-on activities, including creating a birthday cake and artwork from recyclable materials. They also explored their school environment, observing insects, birds, trees and plant life, and discussing the importance of each within broader ecosystems.
A standout moment was the “My Promise to Nature” activity, where learners created posters using fingerprint “leaves” to symbolise their personal commitment to caring for the environment.
Through these activities, learners not only gained knowledge but also developed a sense of ownership and responsibility for the natural world around them.
At Maragon Olympus, the WESSA 100 celebration brought together learners across all phases in a vibrant, multi-dimensional tribute.
Preschool learners explored environmental care through hands-on play with recyclable materials, learning early lessons about reuse and sustainability. In the Foundation Phase, learners combined creativity with digital skills by designing EdTech birthday cards for WESSA, and the Senior Phase learners added a personal touch by recording heartfelt birthday messages and performing a special tribute, highlighting both their awareness and emotional connection to environmental stewardship.
The celebrations were shared across the school’s social platforms, extending the impact beyond the classroom and inviting the broader community to participate in recognising WESSA’s milestone.
A centenary shaped by education, action and hope
By engaging learners through creativity, exploration and action, these schools are not only celebrating WESSA’s legacy but actively contributing to it.
As WESSA enters its next century, it is this generation of informed, inspired young people who will carry forward the work of protecting South Africa’s natural heritage – proving that when education leads, meaningful environmental action follows.