Tree planting at GO! Atheneum Nexus

At GO! Atheneum Nexus Nieuwpoort (Belgium), plans for a major campus renovation meant that large-scale greening interventions were not yet feasible. Rather than waiting for change to happen, students and staff chose to take a meaningful first step by planting a “Tree of the Future”, creating a lasting symbol of the school’s commitment to sustainability and wellbeing.

The school playground lies at the heart of daily school life: a place where students meet, relax and learn together. Through the FullCircle project, the school explored how temporary and mobile greening initiatives could already contribute to this shared space while preparing for the future redevelopment of the campus. These interventions became more than a preview of future plans. They served as a living laboratory where students could learn about sustainability, climate resilience and community engagement through hands-on action.

The planting of the future tree brought together students from different study programmes, each contributing their own skills and expertise. Construction and mechanics students helped prepare the site, remove paving and improve the soil conditions, while students from care and wellbeing programmes carried out the planting and helped establish the green space.

Students from the welding programme designed and constructed a multifunctional three-tier seating structure that can also be used as an outdoor classroom. This feature not only enhances the green space but also demonstrates how vocational skills can contribute directly to the creation of sustainable learning environments. Through this collaborative effort, the project became both an environmental initiative and a practical learning experience that highlighted the value of teamwork and shared responsibility.

Although modest in scale, the project carries a powerful message. The tree has been carefully selected to remain part of the school’s future masterplan and will continue to grow alongside the renewed campus in the years ahead. As it matures, it will provide shade, support biodiversity and serve as a visible reminder of the school’s long-term commitment to sustainability.

The Tree of the Future symbolises the growth that the school hopes to foster: a community that remains rooted in its local environment, supports students in reaching their full potential, and takes responsibility for building a greener future for generations to come.

“By planting one tree today, we invested in a greener school for tomorrow.”