MOVING TOWARDS SUSTAINABLILITY

 

Frankston East Primary School is working towards implementing a sustainability ethos throughout the whole school; incorporating practical solutions, integrated curriculum, day to day decisions and a high level of student involvement and understanding of what is done.

We believe it is important the concept of sustainable living underpins our whole school program not only because it is socially responsible to play our part in reducing our ecological footprint in the light of our earth’s limited resources and Climate Change but also to educate our students so they can begin making choices towards living more sustainably now, within their families and in the long term.

We are supported by CERES as we move towards becoming a part of the Resource Smart Schools program. This means that our school will be implementing a sustainable approach in five key areas:

 

*Core

*Waste

*Biodiversity

*Water

*Energy

 

CORE

There are many ways in which themes pertaining to sustainability are incorporated into the whole school curriculum from the junior sub-school through to the senior sub-school. The specialist science sessions compliment and extend these integrated units.

 

During science sessions in term 4 the whole school is involved in the vegi garden  by planting, growing, harvesting and eating!

Also in term 4 water conservation is included in science lessons throughout the school.

   

WASTE

We currently reuse and recycle paper waste and use compost bins set up in the vegi garden. The class enviro monitors ensure appropriate food scraps are collected daily to put in the bin and senior monitors ensure the bin is looked after and working optimally to produce compost for our vegi garden.

 

Grade 1/2’s have set up a worm farm as part of their studies on mini beasts and plants. Fruit scraps are also used for this.

 

BIODIVERSITY

I) For National Tree day grades 1-4 participated in planting 200 native trees, shrubs and grasses. They are planted in mulched garden beds or around the school ground with tree guards to protect them. When the junior school do topics related to plants they incorporate planting natives and flowers as parts of their learning

 

II) The Vegetable Garden

The vegetable garden not only provides wonderful hands-on experiences across all year levels but also natural openings and opportunities for class sessions in the area of environmental science. We’re joining the growing number of primary schools whose students can experience the joys of growing, harvesting, preparing and sharing food. It is particularly important when combating the trends of childhood obesity, diabetes and rising dental issues.

 

The vegetable garden also supports our schools involvement in the “Healthy Eating” component of the “Kids go for your life” program, where children are encouraged to eat more fruit and vegetables as part of their regular diet, and are involved in discussions as to why it is good for our bodies. Subsequently children can now snack on fruit (the non messy kind) throughout class sessions.

 

After pumpkins from our garden are harvested children in grades 1 - 6 have the opportunity to try pumpkin soup which is made from these pumpkins at lunchtime. Grade 5/6’s help with this and the recipe is printed in the school newsletter.

 

WATER

We were one of the first schools selected by Blue Scope Steel to receive a water tank upon entering their Tank-a-Day program. This 23,000L tank is now installed and the water harvested is used for the school toilets as well as the vegetable garden.

 

ENERGY

In November 2008 our school  underwent an energy audit funded by Frankston Council. We have responded to  the report on this and are working through the recommendations. The report was presented to staff by a Council officer and provided the valuable link between theory and practicality. We have replaced many lights with energy efficient lighting throughout the school and In March 2009 we put in Solar Panels. These contribute 2 kilo watts of energy into the grid, but also can be utilised in classrooms to track our energy use and increase understanding in students regarding the concepts behind solar energy.

 

Staff and students are on the alert for switches, computers and whiteboard projectors being turned off when not in use and energy efficient use of air conditioners. These practises we hope to refine and will start to infiltrate into the wider school community.