At least that is not the case for Oamaru’s St Kevin’s College, which is in the second stage of developing Service Hill, behind one of the school’s hostels.
The first stage involved the development of a mountain bike track, which was created by its pupils and local volunteers.
This time around the school planned to cover the hill in native trees.
And it was not just a chance to develop and beautify the school’s surrounding area, but a chance to develop its pupils, too.
Provided with 5000 trees from the Ministry for Primary Industries’ One Billion Trees project, the school’s year 11 horticulture pupils were making their way along the hill planting trees.
It was part of the NCEA and Primary ITO qualifications, but agriculture teacher Paula Eatherly said the pupils were gaining a lot more than school credits.
Mrs Eatherly said the project was setting them up for life in terms of practical knowledge and a care for the environment.
"It’s a win-win, for the community and the students," she said.
St Kevin’s College teacher aide and project manager Jimmy McGeown said the
aim was to plant the 5000 trees by the end of July, establishing the trees in midwinter before they were hit by a dry summer.
To achieve this goal the school would be holding a mass planting on June 13, at 9.30am.
Mr McGeown said more than 60 people had signed up for the planting day, but welcomed members of the public to come along with a shovel and gumboots to help out.
