Sustainability
Sustainability Overview
An excellent definition of Sustainability was given by an African delegate at the Johannesburg Earth Summit (Rio + 10) in 2002 ‘Enough for all forever’. At St. Patrick’s our aim is to educate the community that as stewards of the earth, it is our responsibility to care for the environment. Through the curriculum, we aim to assist the students to become more sustainable citizens. Students are able to be involved in hands on learning through growing plants and vegetables, planting, composting, gardening and propagating plants. There are also opportunities to cook using the produce we grow.
Environmental Activities
KIDS TEACHING KIDS CONFERENCE
Since 2016 Year 6 students in the sustainability leadership team have participated in the ‘Kids Teaching Kids’ conference. The conference is held at Melbourne University and Collingwood Children’s Farm. Primary and secondary school environmental leaders from across Australia join together to raise awareness and drive action on local and global environmental issues, solve common challenges together and learn how to be responsible for a sustainable future. In past years have presented a 3 minute video on global warming, conducted workshops on water and why it is such a precious commodity. Last year we performed on the main stage during the gala dinner, singing and dancing our way through water saving ideas.
BIG GREEN SCHOOL CONFERENCE
The annual Big Green Schools Conference enables Environmental Leaders from schools within Kingston and surrounds to create and deliver the big green ideas for Kingston. St Patrick’s has been part of this conference for the past four years. The students work together to create an action on how our school can be more sustainable. We have worked on reducing the waste through nude food days, composting and putting signs on the bins, and made herb plant pots from recycled During these days we are always looking at ways of reducing waste, and water and energy usage at school and home.
WASTE WARRIORS
In 2019 St Patrick's has decided to work harder on reducing the amount of waste we produce. To assist with this, we have introduced NUDE FOOD everyday. This means students are encouraged to bring their snacks and lunch in reusable containers and always have a reusable drink bottle. Every classroom has a paper recycling bin, a compost bin (which we use to feed our chickens and also as mulch for our garden beds), and a very small landfill bin. We also recycle any hard plastics brought into the school. Students are encouraged to take the lead with our waste reduction process, by ensuring they are not bringing soft plastics in their lunchboxes
Resource Smart
St Patrick’s Primary School has been a member of the ResourceSmart framework since 2015. In 2016 we received our AWAKENING STAR. In 2018 we attained our DISCOVERY STAR, through the Waste Module, making St Patrick’s a 2 star sustainability school. We are currently working on the Transforming star, through continuing to reduce the amount of waste produced, and by aiming to become more water wise.
What is ResourceSmart?
It is an initiative that helps schools become more sustainable – reducing their costs and creating real-life learning opportunities. The ResourceSmart Schools Framework helps schools reduce costs while giving students the opportunity to learn about sustainability in a realistic environment.
What is involved?
Schools take action to minimise waste, save energy and water, promote biodiversity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
What’s so good about being involved?
Recognition
As part of the framework schools can reach for the stars and receive recognition with Sustainability Certification.Savings
Schools save money on energy, waste and water bills – and greenhouse gas emissions.Real-life learning
Students learn valuable lessons about sustainable action.Sustainable living
Schools aim to minimise waste, save energy and water, promote biodiversity, and cut greenhouse gas emissions.Build community
Schools can also position themselves as community leaders and network with other schools and environmental partners.CORE MODULE:
The aim in the Core Module is to develop whole school sustainability action plans for each resource area (biodiversity, energy, waste and water), to manage our resource consumption through the online system and to ensure our actions align with the checklists and resources provided.
WASTE MODULE:
The aim in the Waste Module is to practice excellent principles of reducing, reusing and recycling; and to reduce the cost of rubbish management. We aim to develop a Waste Wise culture within the school community and to ensure our environments are well maintained.
ENERGY MODULE:
The aim in the Energy Module is to REDUCE the school community’s energy consumption and therefore to reduce the cost of our energy use. We aim to develop an Energy Wise culture within the school community to ensure we are reducing our school impact on the environment.
WATER MODULE:
The aim in the Water Module is to REDUCE the school community’s water consumption and therefore to reduce the cost of our water use. We aim to develop a Water Wise culture within the school community to ensure we all understand the precious nature of water.
BIODIVERSITY MODULE:
The aim in the Energy Module is to INCREASE the school community’s biodiversity. We aim to plant more, attract more wildlife, minibeasts and insects to our school, and develop an understanding of the importance of nature to our lives