In 2023 Escola EB 2,3 Algoz was selected to house the first Biodiversity Forest to be planted as part of RC Silves environmental projects. On 8 November, 320 indigenous trees and shrubs were planted by students and rotary club members, supported by Silves Camera President Rosa Palma

This was the first step in creating a small, 100sqm, dense woodland where a new ecosystem could exist. In the centre of the forest is a learning space and adjacent is a small laboratory. Student volunteers will care for the newly planted saplings until they are established. The students at the school will be able to observe the various development stages as the forest grows after using the Miyawaki principles of planting.

On 14 November the finishing touches were added after the planting of the two final Carvalho de Monchique oak trees by Deputy Camera President Luisa Conduto and Rotary District Governor Paulo de Taveira Sousa. The completion of this project by Silves Rotary club provides the school with a living environment to use as a source of inspiration and research as part of the saving the planet curriculum.

Club President Jim Kennedy thanked all involved for the efforts in bringing this important project to completion with special thanks to Rainer Kroth who led the project from its inception. Silves council prepared the ground, Nutriverde Algar grew our plants and trees and Sonia Soares from Floresta Nativa advised on the planting. Thanks must also go to Porches International Rotary Club for their considerable financial support.

Earlier this month 6 Students and two Teachers from Agrupamento de Escolas Silves Sul set of from Faro Airport to attend the 24th Model United Nations meeting at Cheadle Hulme school in Wilmslow, south of Manchester.

They joined over 330 students at this event to play the roles of delegates to the United Nations and to represent 61 different countries in their teams of 6.

The students aged 13 formed the Portuguese delegation where, in the General Assembly, they reacted to a world crisis in which all communication systems to Australia were disrupted and the threat by terrorists to extend the disruption if their demands were not met.

In committee they debated such important topics as modern slavery, child internet safety and environmental issues of the day.

Older students from Cheadle Hulme school were the organisers of the meeting and played the roles of UN General Secretary, senior UN officials and Committee Chairs.

The trip was organised and funded by the Rotary Club of Silves through their fundraising, to provide educational opportunities that can make a difference to individual pupils’ success in the future or impact the local community. Club President Jim Kennedy said that access to events that extend and develop a wide range of skills in young people provides them with the confidence to succeed in their later lives.  Working together, debating, writing resolutions and amendments, learning the Portuguese Government’s position on the topics covered and making those views heard in the meetings were just some of the skills acquired along with improving their English language and growing in confidence.

We hope to repeat the experience next year.