By PRATHAMESH DESHPANDE
Photos: Supplied
When the weather cools each year, Scaddan Primary School often becomes a temporary refuge for Western Pygmy Possums seeking warmth, teacher Debra Sanger says.
She said SPS students made possum homes and planted native “possum friendly” plants at the school on May 29 after a possum was discovered in the early childhood area nestled inside a toy box last month.
“School gardener Maureen Stephenson rescued the possum and contacted Jenelle Ford from Fauna for the Future Australia for advice,” Mrs Sanger said.
She said Jenelle, who was also the Esperance Bunnings Activity Coordinator, was caring for the possum and would eventually release it back into the bush at the school.
“The student leaders wrote a letter to Bunnings to seek support for a special project of making possum homes and request assistance with planting more native plants in the bushland around the school to provide more shelter and nectar,” she said.
“Sandra Graham and Jenelle from Bunnings came out to our school with all of the equipment; the homes came in a ready-to-build kit and all students from Kindergarten through to Year 6 were able to participate in building the homes.”
Mrs Sanger said to create a hospitable environment for the possums, the school planted native plants rich in sweet nectar and pollen, including Hakeas, Grevilleas, and Banksias.
“The hakea is the [school] logo and is in full flower this time of the year,” she said.
“We will place the homes around the perimeter of our school, and they will remain there.
“We are looking forward to seeing what takes up residence in them.”
Mrs Sanger said the project served as an educational tool, linking real-world issues with classroom learning.
“Our students researched facts about the possums and gained a new appreciation for them,” she said. “We believe in empowering our students to become advocates for the environment and actively seek opportunities to engage them in meaningful projects that contribute to the well-being of our local ecosystem.”
