Two local schools are being recognised for their outstanding work in sustainability by being nominated as finalists in the 2023 ResourceSmart School Awards.
Chewton Primary School is a finalist in the Curriculum Leadership (primary) category and the Castlemaine Steiner School and Kindergarten is a finalist in the Campus Infrastructure and Operations Category.
The schools are two of 23 schools and 35 finalists vying for an award in Victoria’s largest celebration for primary and secondary school students, teachers, and school volunteers taking sustainability action.
Chewton Primary School has embedded sustainability across the school by having classes lead on different initiatives. The Prep-2 class led the school in reducing waste, the grade 3-4 students investigated energy consumption and the grade 5-6 students led the work in identifying endangered animals and protecting habitat.
Principal Bernadette McKenna said they are very excited to be recognised for the wonderful work the staff, students, and parents are doing to embed sustainability into everything we do.
“Each class takes leadership in Waste, Water, Energy and Biodiversity, learning and teaching the rest of the school,” said Principal McKenna.
“Sustainability is part of our school curriculum and is embedded in everything we do. We are very proud of our great work at Chewton Primary School.”
The students at Chewton Primary School are very proud of their achievements including learning how to make the soil better and planting lots of veggies and herbs which are harvested to cook.
Emilia said, “At Chewton Primary we sort paper, citrus, compost and we try to be plastic-free. We took all the landfill bins away, and we recycled the soft plastic while we could. We went on bush walks and learned which foods to eat.”
“I’m proud of our school. We’re respectful of plants and trees. No one chases the kangaroos. We planted lots of trees with POHAG at the creek,” commented Quincy.
Busby said, “I cooked spanakopita for the whole school! I’m really excited that we got into the finals and that I might get to go to the MCG!” and Gus said, “We’re super lucky to have bush around our school so we can build cubbies and learn in the bush.”
Castlemaine Steiner School and Kindergarten have also put a lot of work into creating a learning space that embraces sustainability and have a goal to become carbon neutral. The school has its own wetlands and island, known as Bushfood Island, which the school uses for educational purposes with interpretive signage and bushfood plants. It has implemented many energy-saving initiatives including solar panels, LED lighting, and installed heat pumps cutting bills by 25-30 per cent.
Castlemaine Steiner School & Kindergarten principal Nerrida Johnson said the school has been caretakers of this pocket of Muckleford on the lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung for 27 years.
“When we moved the school here it was heavily grazed land with only a few mature trees and undernourished soils. Through the efforts of students, staff, parents and friends, the land has been revegetated and soils greatly improved. David Holmgren and the late Dan Palmer, both past parents of the school, contributed with Permaculture designs, passion and knowledge. We have been really fortunate,” commented Principal Johnson.
“Our students have identified 126 species of birds here in the last few years. We have also planted 900 trees in the last two years alone, some sourced from Newstead Natives and some germinated here at school. We aim to do our best to help this land and there is always plenty more to do!
“We are thrilled to be named finalists. Our students develop a real and lasting connection with our beautiful school environment over the years they are here. We have 18 acres to care for and our students have taken the task on and it’s wonderful that they, along with our staff and wider community, have been acknowledged in this way by Sustainability Victoria. We thank Kyle Murphy and Terry Willis for their enthusiasm and for guiding this ongoing work for our school environment, which has such positive effects for our students,” Principal Johnson said.
This year’s winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at the MCG on June 15. For information about this year’s finalists please visit sustainability.vic.gov.au/resourcesmart-schools-awards.