2015 ResourceSmart Schools Awards

Bentleigh West, a 5 Star ResourceSmart School, shares their sustainability story with their sister schools located in Jakarta, Bali, Dhaka and Balgo - a remote indigenous community in the Tanami Desert, Western Australia.

Sustainability Coordinator, Leonie Brown leads the school’s sustainability management plan. The program helps students to understand the biodiversity challenges around the world and the vital importance of addressing these problems. Initiatives are in place to harvest, reduce, recycle and reuse water allowing students to develop knowledge of global water issues.

Footscray City College takes a holistic approach to biodiversity education integrating it into curriculum and at the school in extra curricula activities. More than 170 students from Year 7 and 8 participated in National Tree Planting Day in July, with students planting over 400 plants native to the Western Plains. The sustainability program includes planting endemic species in the school grounds and establishing a biodiversity seedbank for seed collection.

Through collaborative work with Maribyrnong City Council and a student run environmental group, Footscray Environmental Society (FES) significant improvements have been achieved in the whole of school recycling program with new bins for recycling and a commitment from council to collect the recycling waste.

St Louis has a broad range of environmental activities embedded into the school’s curriculum. The school grounds include extensive vegetable gardens, aquaponics and an orchard that provide produce for the student kitchen. Classes incorporate the schools pond and wetlands where students discover the delicate nature of wetlands and their important ecological roles.

St Louis Environment and Sustainability Leaders promote sustainability and environmental initiatives in the areas of water, energy, waste and biodiversity across the school. To assist in the day to day running of the school, the energy and waste warrior teams increase awareness of the importance of turning off appliances not in use and ensuring that waste is correctly sorted.

Glengarry Primary has delivered biodiversity, waste and community leadership initiatives. Children are continually looking for new ways to help native wildlife and new opportunities to educate others, including younger students, parents and other school communities, so that everyone benefits. They appreciate biodiversity is not just about animals, but also about trees, flowers and groundcovers. Everything has a value at Glengarry.

Rowville Secondary College (RSC) started the commitment to waste reduction late in 2014. In April 2015 the Environmental Student Leadership (ESL) group organised a Clean Up RSC Day for years 7, 8 and 9. They found ways of boosting waste reduction around the school. The ESL group identified the shortfalls of the school and, instead of being daunted by their magnitude, they were inspired by the opportunity for change that was presented.

In twelve months Heathmont East Pre-school has incorporated multiple sustainability actions into their children’s education. The parents and community have embraced this theme which has led to a doubling in the recycled resources donated by families, including vegetable scraps. Every year Heathmont hopes to introduce another aspect that can lead them to being a truly sustainable pre-school.

Little Beacons has exceeded in all seven areas of the early childhood sector’s National Quality Standards. The centre plays a key role in advocating for the importance of indoor and outdoor environments. They inspire services to deliver high quality educational programs and believe children are ambassadors for the environment. Their ’Let’s Explore’ program has evoked conversation and has changed the way they support children and families to connect with their world.

Leonie’s passion, skills and knowledge drive sustainability education, sharing her vision with educators, professionals, staff, students and parents. She is a great mentor to young staff and an inspiration to those who hear her speak. Leonie’s work is ever evolving, and she continues to inspire young people with her knowledge and skills to make this world a better place.

Marcus is enthusiastic, thoughtful and committed in his ideas and displays a sense of purpose to students and the local community. He understands the impact environmental issues have on our planet and how students can make a real difference. He prepares and empowers them with inspiring presentations by speakers from across a broad range of environmental topics. Marcus makes a difference.

Emma Canning’s passion for sustainability and community has created positive change for St Peter’s. Emma has demonstrated a strong sustainability focus by organising school and community participation along Darebin Creek. Emma has also organised the fortnightly student active citizen group which visits the local nursing home, Green Gables, to provide activities and hospitality.

During her 25 years at Braybrook College, Rowena has worked on many projects, gaining funding, developing networks and links, writing reports for school council and advocating for sustainability within the school. Rowena remains dedicated to the students as she delivers on the theme ‘Braybrook College – caring for the environment’.

For over 12 years Rohan’s work at Northcote High School has led to incremental changes and improvement in sustainability of the school and the local community. His persistence has allowed the school to reduce its impact on the planet.

This small school has made great progress in the last year and is showing great enthusiasm for local biodiversity action. Chewton Primary demonstrates a whole school commitment where staff, students, parents and the school community are passionate about biodiversity and learning together. Chewton is showing how education and commitment to sustainability practices create a dynamic and nurturing learning environment.

The College has worked as a community to develop a school environment based on principles of education for sustainability. Frayne is a small school that cherishes flora, fauna and nature and where hands-on involvement sows seeds in young minds. Their nature trail project showcases and reminds the school community of the surrounding biodiversity. Through vision, persistence the nature trail has exposed a new learning space for the community.

The students at the College are immersed in sustainable practices which protect the natural and built environment in their early years. In the middle years the learnings extend in breadth and depth so the students' abilities to further explore sustainable practices and provide solutions to environmental issues are strengthened. Students are given the opportunity to learn in the natural environment including local beaches, bush and local waterways.

Cheltenham Secondary College shows enthusiasm, collaboration and innovation: do any other schools run an Ibis Competition? Via the school bulletins, their passion for native birds and gardens is reaching students’ homes. Turning an ugly patch of wasteland into a productive community garden has inspired students as well as built strong connections with retirees and Council. This has allowed the school community to celebrate biodiversity together.

Eaglehawk Secondary College in central Victoria, is committed to connecting people with the land. They have four periods a week allocated to working in the ‘Life Connections’ program which promotes student engagement, gardening, the natural environment and animal life. They are committed to showing people how to enjoy the land, work it, love it, respect it and care for it.

Over the last 12 months St Monica’s College EnviroFriends group has focused on increasing biodiversity by planting over 600 indigenous plants in their local wetlands and surrounding areas. Several EnviroFriends students visited local primary schools to assist with their vegetable garden and native planting. For these activities the students documented actions through photography and documentary style videos.

Located on 17 acres of which about 13 acres is beautiful native bush, Mountain District Christian School is determined to keep it that way. The fauna on the property includes the endangered Helmeted Honeyeater, Tawny Frogmouths, wombats, wallabies, goannas, native antechinus and freshwater Crayfish. In conjunction with Melbourne Water they are working to keep the creek and its surrounds a healthy and diverse ecosystem.future generations.

The school gives students a special leadership role and chance to work collaboratively in a real-life learning situation by running the school restaurant. Growing their own vegetables, preparing meals and serving to paying customers presents a wealth opportunities for each student to learn. Belgrave South engages with the community to make this project possible… and invites you to dine with them at Sophie’s Restaurant.

The school has clearly demonstrated how networks and partnerships have been used to successfully embed and integrate the three AusVELS cross curriculum priorities into their school. Their Sister School program provides rich and authentic student learning experiences and bring a global perspective to students’ lives. Behaviour change for sustainability taking place at school is being shared with the wider community – locally, nationally and internationally.

The staff and students at St Kilda Primary School are contemporary ‘Change Makers’. They strive to be sustainability community leaders and believe in making a difference. The school participates in the ‘A Drop in the Ocean’ initiative and the ‘Zero Waste Fete’. Green teams have created a community recycling depot and worked with parents and members of the school community to build nature play spaces.

The college’s significant achievement has been to build a sustainable program that links their English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Karen Refugee students with the environment. Bendigo Senior leads the EAL VCAL/Gravel Hill Community Garden Project. Over 2000 students and staff are continuing their efforts which is benefiting the wider Bendigo community.

St Paul’s has led a multi-partnered environmental ‘talk of the town’ project which has been recognised in the local community. At the school, an outdoor classroom has been created for the whole community through revegetation, working bees and events, the creation of walking trails and information sessions on the threatened fauna species.

Western Port has embedded environmental education across the curriculum and the school has been a trail blazer in developing a broad range of initiatives that reflect their sustainability ethos. They have shared their learnings with the community in a film that celebrates all of their projects and showcases their relationship with their sister school – SMK Aminuddin Baki in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.

Mount Evelyn mentors other schools by encouraging them to leave their cars at home. This school is an advocate for cleaner air, reduced usage, fewer cars and economic benefits for parents and is an environmentally aware school community that wants to take action to fight climate change. They aim to have all schools in their community use alternative transport to school.

Werribee Primary School has a strong sustainability team that is well supported by the school leadership team. Werribee Primary School takes practical action to reduce their energy consumption and demonstrates leadership both within the school and the wider community. These students are ‘change champions’ who take responsibility for creating a sustainable future and improving environmental outcomes for their community.

The college has created a culture of respect for the environment by immersing in initiatives that demonstrate sustainability in action. Staff and students share skills and knowledge with school families and other schools. They are a 21st century showcase school, and their commitment to sustainability is evident in the day-to-day practices of staff and students and in the significant investments in infrastructure.

Braybrook College have solar panels and other initiatives such as lockable light switches and sensor and timer lights. They have undertaken significant work to educate the entire school community on energy conservation. Their long-term aim is to reduce energy usage through education and through technology in areas such as automatic shut off.

Students from Northcote High School initiated a lighting upgrade project and demonstrated that with persistence, positive changes can be made. They’ve shown that change can take a long time to achieve and obstacles might be encountered but dedication pays off. The lighting upgrade project’s estimated savings in electricity and maintenance is $57,500 over 10 years and 38,700 kg of CO2 saved per year.

The college developed a successful model for installing a solar system using locally raised funds. The entire project was eventually funded by donations from parents, teachers, students and the local community. The project has increased community awareness of solar energy and the project has been used in curriculum projects within the school.

Ivanhoe Primary School has made significant measurable and sustainable changes in order to reduce waste and change the attitude of the school community. They have built momentum to continue implementing waste reduction measures across the school and will keep persisting with these great initiatives.

Engaging in programs such as Kids Teaching Kids, Grade 5 Social Enterprises and a No Rubbish Competition, students put their knowledge into practice and motivated others to be involved. As leaders in environmental education the school has recycled wheelbarrow gardens which are watered with recycled water. The vegetables grown in composted soil are sold to the community with funds being directed to more environmental initiatives.

In just one year Rosanna Primary School has made huge changes to the way their waste is managed and is already seeing reductions. Students are driving the change that is happening in the school. There are regular articles on the school website, clean up days, traffic light bins and regular involvement with the community.

Aitken College’s progress in the past year is inspiring and the benefits of their efforts will continue to be realised into the future. Through various initiatives, students are boosting the school’s sustainability by changing their behaviour and becoming more responsible for their waste production and disposal methods.

Balwyn High School’s paper and cardboard recycling has increased from (approx.) 2–3 cubic metres per week to 9–12 cubic metres measured through recycling collections. Balwyn’s elimination of this substantial amount of landfill every week shows that they are committed to doing their part in helping to create a sustainable future for us all.

Through the investment of time and effort, Rowville Secondary College’s initiatives have demonstrated dedication to sustainability. Organising, planning and implementing activities to learn, play and live in a waste-free environment will lead to learning and environmental benefits now and in the future.

Each year, the camp provides a tactile learning experience in environmental education and water conservation to over 2,500 students from across Victoria. Somers immerses resident groups in a culture of environmental awareness and accountability through sustainable living practices. Students are inspired, leaving with greater awareness and care of precious water supply available for living creatures.

Students take action to improve the quality of the local environment. They capture attention and inform different sectors of the community on the enormous toll that litter places on the environment, our quality of life and on Victoria’s financial resources. Students have prepared brochures for the local community, stencilled drains and contributed to articles in the school newsletter, the Banyule Council GreenWrap and the local newspaper.

At Winter’s Flat Primary School students are incredibly water wise and understand how precious this resource is at a local and global scale. They are like water detectives and are always on the lookout for a drip or leak. The school has forged an ongoing partnership with Coliban Water which is helping students to learn about water management, collection, recycling, waste prevention, usage reduction and the importance of healthy waterways.

Balwyn High School created a sustainable sports field that uses water harvested on site and does not require watering from mains. The surface area of their field, 4,000 m2, is nearly the size of the MCG. The water saving benefits of maintaining a field of this size without using mains water is immeasurable and a fantastic water saving initiative.

Braybrook demonstrates persistence and an ongoing positive attitude towards sustainable action particularly around water conservation. Braybrook College participates in SWEP, and uses a water data logging system to identify major leaks within the school. The school has saved a large amount of money and saved a large amount of water from being wasted. Braybrook is a water saving role model to other Victorian schools.

St Monica’s College has taken a progressive approach to educating students on water. They teach students to be leaders in water saving initiatives and by passing their knowledge of water conservation onto the local community hey are helping others be mindful of water usage in their daily practices.

The Boronia Heights Primary School student action team recognised a need for change and took action to bring it about. As a result of their leadership skills other students became involved which lead to school-wide changes in the way they generate and dispose of waste. This has demonstrated that kids who have passion about sustainability can inspire others to join them and lead change throughout the community.

At its heart, the Irymple South Primary School student action team wants to educate the community on healthy lifestyles and sustainable practices. Students are highly visible and active in the environmental program. Daily tasks include feeding the chooks the scraps and checking incubating eggs. Parents, staff, students and community representatives make up the management team, which ensures the ongoing sustainability of the program.

Winters Flat Community Leaders are concerned for the environment and the state of the world around them. These students are challenging the wider community to reduce its carbon footprint and make sustainable changes at school and at home. They promote, monitor and reward good practice and are responsible for maintaining the high profile of sustainability in their school community.

EcoMacK is a passionate student action team at MacKillop Catholic Regional College who strongly advocate for environmental and social justice. The students love networking with other schools and are making plans to offer support to local primary schools in their gardening and sustainability activities. The students are determined that every action they take contributes to the bigger picture.

Braybrook College has an ambitious environmental team whose goal is to achieve ResourceSmart Schools 5 Star accreditation and make a difference in the school community. They raise awareness about sustainability amongst the students and get them involved in events that will help reduce their greenhouse emissions and be recognised as an environmentally friendly school.

The college’s Environment and Sustainability Student Leaders have made substantial progress in a short amount of time. Their sustainability initiatives and events have been successful and beneficial, laying the foundation to develop future strategies. The team identified the environmental shortcomings of the school and were inspired by the opportunity for change.