After learning about the deforestation in Indonesia and Malaysia caused by the palm oil industry, the students letters to companies that use palm oil in their products. They were asked to use alternative ingredients and to support sustainable palm oil production.

Then they decided to adopt a Sumatran orangutan named Gokong through The Orangutan Project initiative. To raise money, the Year 5 and 6 students made palm oil free chocolate, using cocoa butter as a substitute for vegetable fat. They also made short bread, cookies, fruit platters and muffins.

Teacher Rosalyn Saunders said the students had learned they have power as consumers to decide where their money goes, and do their bit to try and end the “destructive cycle” and its effect on wildlife.