Hello! Stacey Passey Programs Manager, Keep Australia Beautiful National Assoc Slides and other handouts will be ed to those on the attendance list Eco-Schools Australia

Wollongong Network & Eco-Schools An overview of the Eco-Schools program Becoming an Eco-School – an introduction Eco-Schools Framework – 7 Steps Forming an Eco-Committee Activity Awards – Bronze, Silver & Green Flag How to get involved – an invitation to take part Eco-Schools Project Planning Activity

What is ‘Eco-Schools’? Eco-Schools is... “empowering students to be the change our sustainable world needs by engaging them in fun, action-orientated learning. ” - Foundation for Environmental Education (Denmark)

Empowerment Learning for Sustainability Hands on ACTION Environment Respect & care Pupil Leadership Citizenship – of a local & global community Democracy Whole School & Community Participation Eco-Schools priorities – the WHY

Eco-Schools Background 1992 UN - Rio Declaration Foundation for Environmental Education (Denmark) 59 Countries Results? Benefits?Benefits 40,000 Schools, 14 million pupils, 1 million teachers Environmental outcomes – energy use & waste reduction Education & Pupil outcomes – relating to behaviour, confidence, citizenship & belonging Eco-Schools England Report

How does it work? “Sustainability” is so broad – it can be overwhelming! Framework (7 Steps) for schools to organise & prioritise sustainability education & environmental management Milestone awards – celebration & recognition An international community Eco-Schools Connect Eco-Schools Malaysia Video

NameWhat is the committee called? ForumA new group? An existing group? MembershipWho is on the committee? RecruitmentElection? Volunteers? Open door? MeetingsWhen do they meet? Where? Frequency? LeadershipHow do pupils take leadership? Whole SchoolHow do we inform/involve others? Activity: Form an Eco-Committee!

Awards Criteria & Progression Schools have different starting points, budgets and capacity 7 Steps Action Plan Achievements Bronze1+ Theme Silver2+ Themes Green Flag3+ Themes GF renewalAdd more themes Aim = 1 Award application per year School chooses timing and award level Continual improvement, rather than perfection

Get involved 1.Register at eco-schools.org.au ($100 per year) 2.Utilise subscribers-only website content 7 Steps guidelines and templates Themed action project ideas & resources sharing Baseline Survey & Award Application forms Detailed case studies written by Australian Eco-Schools School Profiles: school details, award status & submissions log 3.Awards – 1 per year, self evaluate then online form Bronze – desktop assessed Silver – desktop assessed Green Flag – desktop assessed + mentoring visit ($) 4.Training, events & support?

Waste Litter School Grounds Biodiversity Activity: Themed project planning

Parents Curriculum links $$$ Cost? Savings? Environmental impact (Campus, Community, World?) Eco-Schools project planning activity The 3 C’s – Campus, Curriculum, Community Inform & Involve - Whole School & Community Eco-School theme / project

Parents Curriculum links $$$ Cost? Savings? Environmental impact (Campus, Community, World?) Eco-Schools project planning activity The 3 C’s – Campus, Curriculum, Community Whole School & Community involvement? Benefits? Eco-School topic / project Developing the school grounds Reduced food miles Supporting organic food producers – through chicken feed Reduced need to produce man made fertilisers - Chicken droppings used a liquid fertiliser in school gardens Supporting animal rescue campaigns through battery chicken rescue Using recycled materials for chicken pen Using rain water for watering animals rather than processed water Changing tarmac area in to area for animals School grounds – develop chicken pens and buy battery chickens Increased interest in aspects of the national curriculum – hand on approach Attendance increase through individual responsibility for animals Home grown produce - Strengthening links with catering staff Home ‘grown’ fertilisers – strengthening links with site managers Charity campaign – focus on a relevant topic - rescued animals Encouraging an interest in animals Engaging disengaged pupils with practical activities ICT English Mathematics Design & Technology Citizenship Art & Design Enterprise Science -life processes & living things Research; recording and displaying data (number of eggs laid); caring for animals; working in a team; designing the chicken pen; creating posters for animal care and handling; making food; life processes & living things Support from parents – involvement with creating pen, donating materials Parents encouraged to bring children in to school earlier due to pupil commitments Parents taking home chickens during holidays Feed & enclosure installation Using own fertiliser Using recycled materials or donated materials

Story so far… Website Check out eco-schools.org.au NSW Macarthur Sustainable Schools Network – Launch 21 st May Sydney Learning Community for Sustainability Katoomba, Blue Mountains NT & TAS Darwin & Hobart

Stacey Passey Programs Manager, Keep Australia Beautiful National Assoc Thank you – keep in touch!

Award Criteria: Eco-Committee Eco- Committee NB Schools may call their Eco- Committee by another name, e.g. Green Team or Eco-Action Team. The school has an Eco- Committee that meets at least once a term, and members include: -Pupils -Teachers Minutes are kept of meetings and progress reported back to class The school has an Eco-Committee that meets at least once a term, and members include: -Pupils -Teachers -Parent/governor representative Minutes are kept of meetings and progress reported back to class Pupils share responsibility with adults for running the committee, e.g. chairing, voting, taking minutes. (At teachers’ discretion, based on age and ability of pupils involved.) The school has an Eco-Committee that meets at least once a term, and members include: -Pupils from a range of year groups -Teachers from 3+ classes or departments -The Principal or Principal’s representative -a parent and/or governor representative -School facilities staff member Minutes are kept of meetings and progress reported back to class and school governors Pupils take significant responsibility for running the committee, e.g. chairing, voting, taking minutes. (At teachers’ discretion, based on age and ability of pupils involved.) A list or photo of the committee members is displayed in school and there is an agreed method for electing and training new members to ensure continuity of the Eco-Committee.

Award Criteria: Action Plan Action plan (work on themes) The Eco-Committee has produced a basic Action Plan, influenced by the Environmental Review, covering 1+ Eco-Schools theme. The action plan details timescales, targets and who is responsible The Eco-Committee can identify progress towards achieving elements of the Action Plan The Eco-Committee has produced a detailed Action Plan, influenced by the Environmental Review, covering 2+ Eco- Schools themes. The action plan details timescales, targets and measures, and who is responsible Action Plan updates and other evidence in the Eco-Schools portfolio show achievements against at least 2 Eco- Schools themes The Eco-Committee has produced a detailed Action Plan, influenced by the Environmental Review, covering 3+ Eco-Schools themes (For Green Flag Renewal: +1 additional theme incorporated per year) The action plan details timescales, targets and measures, who is responsible plus what curriculum & community links will be made. Action Plan updates and other evidence in the Eco- Schools portfolio show continuous improvement against at least 3 Eco-Schools themes. Action plans are reviewed at Eco-Committee meetings and updated based on evaluation of previous projects and environmental review findings. Achievement of the Eco-Schools Action Plan is a priority in the overall development plan or strategy for the school.

Award Criteria: Curriculum The school can demonstrate that Eco-Schools themes are explored within curriculum work The school can demonstrate that Eco-Schools themes are explored in at least three curriculum areas by most year groups Aspects of Eco-Schools activities such as Environmental Review, Monitoring & Evaluation and Informing & Involving, are integrated into a range of subjects across the curriculum for at least one year group. The school can demonstrate that all students have the opportunity to explore Eco-Schools themes in at least three curriculum areas. Aspects of Eco-Schools activities such as Environmental Review, Monitoring & Evaluation & Informing & Involving, are integrated into a range of subjects across the curriculum for the majority of classes or year groups. The school has a named individual responsible for promoting Eco-Schools/ESD throughout the curriculum and an Eco-Schools curriculum audit has been completed. The school has a dedicated Eco-Schools day or event at least once a year.