However, that’s exactly what happened when more than 300 St Paul’s Primary School students came together to plant hundreds of native trees and shrubs to create the region’s latest “Tiny Forest.” 

Originating in Japan in the 1970s, Tiny Forests are created to increase biodiversity in urban spaces by mimicking natural ecosystems. Made up of concentrated planting that spans the size of a tennis court, they provide numerous environmental and social benefits that create long-term impact. Research has shown these forests grow 10 times faster, 30 times denser, and are 100 times more biodiverse than a traditionally planted forest. 

After hearing of the concept, Principal Greg Cumming, along with Religious Education Coordinator Mary Davison, wasted no time supporting the rollout. The school worked in partnership with the Groundswell Collective – a Lake Macquarie based not-for-profit organisation dedicated to greening our region, one Tiny Forest at a time.  

Mary Davison said the first step was identifying a small, underutilised parcel of land at the rear of its oval that had potential to become a Tiny Forest.  

“Due to the slope of the land, this section of our field frequently flooded, so it was often boggy and couldn’t be used. However, the site receives good water supply and so now we can capture the rainwater naturally,” Mary said. 

A design was drawn up with engagement from the school community, and the project was expanded to include six First Nations story poles and a sculptural work of 'Bintelong' (Awabakal for blue-faced honeyeater), the school's bird totem.  

With the funding confirmed and design finalised, attention turned to preparing the site for planting. Students and the school community enhanced the soil with nutrient-rich materials such as sugar cane mulch and sheep manure, to provide the trees with the best possible start.  

A breaking ground event was held in September with a smoking ceremony acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land. A few weeks later, the entire school community came together for a mass planting event. A grid system was carefully laid out, and students worked in pairs to ensure at least three trees were planted per square metre. In total, 440 plants from 13 native species, including banksias, acacias, and eucalypts, were introduced to the new Tiny Forest.  

Mary said engaging over 300 students in the process was highly valuable, with each class fostering a sense of individual ownership and connection to the site through their learning and planting. 

“I’m most excited for these students who have been involved because when they bring their kids back to the school in 20 years’ time, they will be able to say, ‘I planted that forest,’” Mary said. 

“What’s great about this project is that it provides more exposure for our students to study our environment, protect our biodiversity, and learn just how important trees are for carbon offset,” she said. 

The Tiny Forest is a valuable educational resource, aligning with the school’s curriculum on environmental stewardship. From Kindergarten to Year 6, students now have a hands-on experience to learn about caring for the environment.  

The school will look after the ongoing maintenance and monitoring of the forest, however the care required is expected to be minimal. The species chosen are native to the area so will need some initial watering, but once established, the trees should thrive, expected to reach a height of three metres within 12 months. 

While mass planting might suggest the trees would compete with each other, studies on the Tiny Forest concept have shown that the trees form a “social network,” and their proximity means they work together to foster natural competition for denser growth. 

Sustainability Manager for the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, Drew Ashworth noted the project’s alignment with the Diocese’s Sustainability Plan 2022-2025.  

“Increasing our biodiversity is a key strategy within our Sustainability Plan and I hope the success of this project will inspire many more Tiny Forests,” Drew said.  

 “Our Diocese is already identifying potential sites for more Tiny Forests at other Catholic schools and services. Through the introduction of Tiny Forests we can make a significant impact on environmental sustainability across our region. I look forward to seeing this project continuing to grow throughout the Diocese,” he said.  

As a testament to the success of this project, Lake Macquarie City Council Mayor Adam Shultz presented St Paul’s Primary School Gateshead with the Council’s School Environmental Award on 26 November. 

Principal Greg Cumming said the award showcases the school’s commitment and leadership when it comes to sustainability.  

“It is a great honour,” Greg said. 

“It reminds our students that we are all stewards of the earth, and it is everyone’s responsibility to look after our environment for future generations.” 

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