Scotch College

Towards a more sustainable Junior School

‘We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.’ Native American proverb

Words: Jenni Allen Photography: Jocelyn Pride

The first Junior School sustainability meeting: (Left to right): Pam Kelton-Rook (Junior School ParentsŐ Association), Michael Smith (Curator), Lachlan Philip (Junior School Vice Captain), Greg McMahon (Maintenance Supervisor), Katrina Ellis (Year 3 teacher), William McGuiness (Junior School Captain), Bill Sciarretta (Property Manager), Jenni Allen (Music), Cara Horner (CERES).

You would have to have been hiding under a rock to have not noticed the amount of discussion currently around about humans’ impact upon our climate and environment, not to mention the drought!

No matter what our beliefs are or our understanding of these issues, the Junior School believes that it is timely to adopt some more sustainable practices in our own community.

We have been excited to become part of the Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative, or AuSSI, a partnership between the Australian Government and the states and territories, which supports schools in working towards a sustainable future.

Administered in Victoria by the Victorian Department of Education and Training and CERES Community Environment Park, it aims to increase biodiversity in the local area and dramatically reduce water use, greenhouse gas emissions and solid waste output. Through various grants, sponsorships and fees for service, over 370 Victorian schools have already participated in the program, which is available to all schools across the state.

We have worked with our enthusiastic facilitator from CERES, Cara Horner, to begin developing a four-year plan and to look at our school policies. While it is tempting to forge ahead quickly with individual activities, we feel that it is important to ensure that sustainability is part of the School’s long-term structures, not just ‘love projects’ that will disappear if the passionate staff member responsible leaves the School.

Meetings have included representatives from the student body, the Junior School Parents’ Association, maintenance and grounds staff and Junior School academic staff. We have also liaised with our Senior School colleagues at their Greening Scotch meetings, which have been inspiring, and we are looking forward to further collaboration. It also has been encouraging to learn that in many areas, our grounds and maintenance team are already operating sustainably.

Meanwhile, we encourage Scotch families to review their waste, water and energy usage at home and include their children in the review process.

For more information about AuSSI, please visit www.deh.gov.au/education/aussi/index.html GS