Back in late 2022, the PWS community came together to build and install microbat homes in carefully selected locations around the school. If you’ve spotted them, you’re seeing the results of a fantastic sustainability project, made possible through support from Cockburn Council and local microbat expert Joe Tonga (aka "The Bat Man").

In total, we built 10 bat boxes as a community initiative, with an additional three generously donated by members of our school community. Our goal was to create safe roosts for microbats, encouraging them to extend their populations from nearby bushland and Bibra Lake into our school grounds—boosting biodiversity and strengthening our native ecosystem. An added bonus? Microbats are nature’s pest controllers, consuming vast numbers of mosquitoes every night!

Restoring habitats like this is crucial for protecting native wildlife, and microbats play an essential role in maintaining ecological balance. Not only do they help control insect populations, but they also contribute to pollination and seed dispersal, supporting plant life and forest regeneration. Urban development has reduced suitable roosting sites for microbats, making projects like ours vital for their survival and for the health of our local environment.

During the Term 2 holidays, we carried out routine maintenance on the bat boxes and are thrilled to report that families of Gould’s Wattled Bats (our local microbat species) have happily moved in. Even better—the boxes remain in excellent condition, ensuring continued support for these tiny, winged wonders.

This project is a testament to what our community can achieve together, and we look forward to watching our microbat residents thrive in their new homes. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this initiative—your support is making a real difference!

Tracy Burns
P&F Treasurer