MAD Day 2005

Over 300 children at Princes Street Primary participated in MAD activities on the day. For some students it concluded the happy experience of getting to know some older citizens in their community while others launched an ongoing relationship with the Children’s Ward at the Royal Hobart Hospital. Many took part in water conservation activities where they learnt that every drop counts. The water quality of Sandy Bay Rivulet was monitored and the riparian zone was cleared of litter. Another group examined the issue of war through drama.

A party was held at Don College on MAD Day to spread the positive partying message. Representatives from youth related organisations such as Tasmania Police (drug and alcohol), Youth Health and Youth and Family Focus drug counsellors were invited to attend. The standard drink measuring activity (including a free measuring cup!) and the breathalysing experience were very popular. A ‘Party Pants’ competition was held where participants were judged on their creation of positive partying messages displayed on OLD jeans.

Rose Bay High and Riverside High launched their MAD Projects with a day of awareness raising and thinking about shared community values.

To celebrate diversity, students at Launceston Church Grammar wrote messages of friendship and welcome onto flags previously painted by the Junior Student Council.

At Rosny College students from Grades 11 and 12 were ruthless with their attack on Northern Pacific seastars which had taken up residence in the waters around the Bellerive Yacht Club. This introduced species is a huge problem for the health of the Derwent estuary.

Classes at Sorell District School addressed 3 separate issues. The problem of bullying was examined through drama. Other students undertook research into organisations concerned with social justice, such as Amnesty. An exploration of students’ thoughts about what is not fair in the world concluded with them writing letters of concern to relevant authorities, eg the Prime Minister, Premier and councils.

LauncestonCollege incorporated MAD Day into ‘Clean-Up LC Week’. On the day there was a stall for recycled clothes, in preparation for the Time Warp theme at the social, and a ten pin bowling game which used empty plastic bottles and a ball of used paper. In addition to the recycling focus, Oxfam supplied information on Fair Trade and a video on endangered species was shown.

Friends’ School: Clemes students held an international food fair to raise funds for a school in Bangladesh. Each tutor group organised, cooked and sold food from a particular country. Local businesses and organisations were invited to donate goods.

Taroona High School Grade 7 students focused on animal welfare. Following detailed research, they designed and illustrated slogans to highlight issues of concern regarding animals. These slogans were painted on T-shirts. Various items around the prevention of cruelty to animals theme were presented at the MAD Day assembly including a speaker from the Guide Dogs Association and the distribution of awards for creative t-shirt design.

A group of children who attend Mersey Leven Child Care Centre outside of school hours, planted 30 plants to assist with addressing the causes of soil erosion.

St Patrick’s College weeded a community bush block where gorse was beginning to threaten native species of grass and other flora. A local environmental action/human rights volunteer talked to participants about the impact of their endeavour.