Explore ideas to build sustainability in your school

Overview

How can schools be more sustainable? How do schools teach sustainability?

Sustainability education in Australian schools is a vital component of the curriculum, aiming to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to address environmental, social, and economic challenges for a more sustainable future. The Australian education system incorporates sustainability principles across various subjects and levels, reflecting the nation's commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible citizenship. Key aspects include:

1. Resource Efficiency and Environmental Practices: Many schools in Australia have adopted sustainable practices, such as reducing energy and water consumption, waste reduction and recycling, and creating eco-friendly campuses.

2. Outdoor and Environmental Education: Outdoor education programs and excursions play a significant role in fostering a connection with nature and promoting sustainable behaviours.

3. Global Perspective: Sustainability education in Australia often emphasizes global perspectives, encouraging students to consider the impact of their actions on both local and global scales.

4. Partnerships and Collaboration: Schools often collaborate with local community groups, environmental organizations, and government agencies to enhance sustainability education efforts.

5. Curriculum Integration: Sustainability concepts are woven into different subjects such as science, geography, mathematics, and technology. This interdisciplinary approach helps students understand the interconnectedness of environmental, economic, and social systems.

6. Inclusive Approach: Sustainability education in Australia aims to be inclusive and respectful of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives, recognizing the deep connection between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the land.

Target Audience

Those in leadership and specialist roles and classroom teachers.

Tickets

Tickets include Catering for the day including a buffet lunch, along with a Certificate of Attendance (Mapped to APST).

Register now to access Early Bird rates

9:05 - 9:45am

Speaker: Jason Smith, Principal & Amy Beard, Science Teacher, Tamborine Mountain State School (awarded one of Australia’s most Sustainable School)

The Green behind the Gold

Gain insights into one of Australia’s most sustainable schools

TMSS engage and immerse students in Environment and Sustainability programs and projects with support from staff, local businesses and community partners. They  are:  

• reducing rubbish

• recycling containers, plastics, paper and cardboard

• reusing products instead of dumping them

• growing vegies, herbs and fruits to use in our Tuckshop

• rejuvenating gardens and landscaping

• working with TM Landcare with our remnant rainforest and Birdwing Butterfly vines

• worm farming

• reducing our carbon footprint by reducing photocopying & printing

• using solar panels

• maintaining an Indigenous Bushtucker garden and Butterfly Garden, complete with native bees

9:50 - 10:30am

Speaker: Grant Jones, Lecturer, Western Sydney University

Authentic Sustainability for the classroom

Learn how to create and deliver rich Sustainability lessons that not only meet the HASS curriculum but also the STEM curriculum. Explore a range of different ways in which sustainability can be authentically embedded into your teaching and learning program. Walk away with a range of exciting activities to undertake in their classroom.

10:30 - 10:50am

Morning Tea

10:50 - 11:30am

Speaker: Vanessa Bermingham, Head of Innovation and Learning, St Laurence’s College

Integrating Sustainability into the Curriculum using Project Based Learning and Industry Partnerships

Embedding sustainability into the curriculum can be a challenge in ensuring that students experience real-world connections and understand that true Sustainability is not just Ecology, but an integration of multiple disciplines. Integration can be done through Science from years 7-10 through Project Based Learning as the key pedagogical approach and partnerships with Universities and Environmental Education Centres. Explore 3 different units that can be done in years 7 and 9.

11:35am - 12:20pm

Speaker: Brigitte McDonald, Deputy Principal, St. Columba’s College Essendon

Harmony with Creation: Exploring Laudato si at St. Columba's College

A look at how St. Columba's College is working towards addressing the Laudato si goals and accreditation as an Earthcare school. The presentation will cover :

• Resource efficiency and environmental practice

• Partnerships and collaboration

• Curriculum integration

• Inclusive approaches

12:25 - 1:10pm

Speakers: Karen Yager Principal, and David Hamper, Deputy Principal ECEC-12 and Head of Senior School, Hills Grammar

Enabling K-12 students to become agentic environmental stewards

This presentation will feature how we are embedding a focus on sustainability across the curriculum, partnering internationally with students across the world, running co-curricular projects, such as sustainable gardens and our Project Climate team, student led recycling and reduction and management of waste initiatives,. In addition supporting students to achieve micro-credentials for our Hills Passport for the Future and our partnership with the University of Technology so our year 10 students can achieve a first year university credential focused on ways to help our school reach net zero carbon emissions by 2023.

1:10 - 2:10pm

Lunch

2:10 - 2:30pm

Discussion

2:35 - 3:15pm

Speaker: Madison Lucas, FEAST National Project Lead, OzHarvest

OzHarvest FEAST High School Program

FEAST (Food Education and Sustainability Training) is OzHarvest’s high school program, inspiring students to eat healthy, waste less and become future changemakers and inspire their community. FEAST addresses the Australian Curriculum in Design and Technologies and Food Specialisations content and combines sustainability and healthy eating in a curriculum ready package for Australian high schools.

Explore the importance of educating kids about food waste and the successes and challenges involved in developing & implementing FEAST as a classroom-based sustainable initiative and discuss positive results following from the program.

3:15pm

Wrap up and Conference Close