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Sustainability in schools now an everyday issue

By Sara Bannister

Worm farms, compost heaps, water tanks, energy-efficient lights and wetland areas are becoming a common sight in schools, as more teachers and students make the environment a priority.

The latest school census reveals that 94 per cent of Victorian government schools have put sustainability practices into their everyday operations, with many significantly reducing their energy and water usage.

While the survey shows that most schools have embraced the environmental challenge, metropolitan schools are leading the way in developing sustainability policies.

Almost 60 per cent of metropolitan schools have altered their facilities to become more efficient and less wasteful, compared to 45 per cent of regional/rural schools.

While 49 per cent of schools overall have included environmental sustainability in their school plan, more than 56 per cent of metropolitan schools have taken the step, compared to 45 per cent in rural areas.

With questions about environmental sustainability included on the school census for the second time, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development now has a better picture of how schools are travelling and where more support might be needed.

Mildura West Primary School teacher Marion Vorwerk, who helped steer her school to a Hero Award in last year’s Rubbish Free Lunch Challenge, encouraged schools to choose a manageable project – and stick to it.

“Prioritise and pick something that can be achievable in a short space of time, develop an action plan and get the students involved,” Ms Vorwerk said. “Just choose something and really do it well and build that slowly.”

Now a ‘five star’ school in the Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSIVic), Mildura West Primary has set up a kerbside recycling collection, encourages students and parents to pack ‘rubbish-free lunches’, and involves students in a range of exciting projects.

For example, for the past two years students have been working with a local company to turn two-litre plastic milk bottles into benches for a local park.

Victoria’s government schools can get a range of support and advice to make their schools more environmentally sustainable.

The AuSSIVic program, co-ordinated by Sustainability Victoria, allows schools to improve their management of resources and facilities through real-life learning experiences.

The Victorian Government’s $3 million Schools Water Efficiency Program has helped more than 400 schools to deliver significant water savings through simple measures such as fixing leaks and fine-tuning appliances.

In Victoria, water tanks are installed at every new school or every major refurbishment project.

For more information on programs, grants and funding opportunities for schools, and the detailed results of the Census, see Environment Sustainability (http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/deptpolicies/environment)