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Project:

Sustainable Schools NSW

Background 

Sustainable Schools NSW is a joint initiative between the Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW (DECC) and the NSW Department of Education and Training (DET).

Sustainable Schools NSW is helping schools across the state to adopt sustainable practices through the development of a school environmental management plan.  It gets the whole school community involved from students through to school management.

Project activities 

The Sustainable Schools project recognises that every school in NSW is unique and has a different starting point as it moves towards this important environmental goal.

Participating schools are assisted to improve their performance over time, working towards improved outcomes in three areas:

• grounds management
• resource management
• curriculum

To assist Schools in the development and implementation of School Environmental Management Plans several resources and internet-based tools were developed.

Outcomes and successes 

In 2003 the Sustainable Schools Project received a nomination for the prestigious Banskia awards.

Since it was launched in 2002, a number of helpful resources and links have been developed for various environmental activities, including:

• practical activities – such as 'how to reduce waste' and 'successful school grounds' projects
• teaching and learning strategies – comprising activities and links to teaching programs
• participation and communication strategies – involving the students and school community in environmental decision-making

In 2004, over 200 schools participated in the first phase of the project which included the use of an online interactive School Environmental Management Plan (SEMP) tool to capture and record progress and action plans.  This was received well and discussions are underway to progress the development and release of this tool.

Additional resources are also planned and will be progressively released, including interactive calculators and planning tools to help schools keep track of their sustainability achievements, plus opportunities to link and share with other schools.

Resource materials 

A range of resources are available, these include:

• Read the "Sustainable Schools 2002-2004" brochure / case study
• Find out more about Environmental Education within NSW Schools and the role the Sustainable Schools project played in assisting schools to embrace environmental education
• The National view and the role NSW and Victoria has played in leading the way in the Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative
• Read the "NSW DET Environmental Education Policy (2001)" – three core elements for environmental education and education for sustainability in NSW schools [pub info]
• Read the "Implementing the Environmental Education Policy in your school (2.2mb)" – guidelines for implementing environmental education and education for sustainability in NSW schools
• School Environmental Management Plan – how-to and examples
• Tools – to aid in planning and implementing your School Environment Management Plan
• Teaching Guides : Stormwater, Curriculum, School Grounds and Resource use
• School Activities : Keep Australia Beautiful's Metro Pride Awards for schools

How to get involved and find out more 

Contact the Sustainable Schools Project Officer at the Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW on phone (02) 8837 6000 or email sustainability@environment.nsw.gov.au.

Project partner 

NSW Department of Education and Training

The NSW Department of Education and Training delivers high quality education and training services from early childhood education through to post-compulsory education and training.

The Department coordinates all public education and training services in New South Wales and aims to meet the learning needs of children, young people and adults, and the training needs in industry.

Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW

The Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW works towards achieving a clean and healthy environment through its administration of environment protection legislation. This legislation covers air, water quality, contaminated land, noise control, pesticides, hazardous chemicals, dangerous goods, radiation and waste as well as national parks and reserves, biodiversity and threatened species, Aboriginal and cultural heritage, historic sites and pest management.

The DECC uses a range of means to achieve compliance including economic incentive schemes, regulation, enforcement, education, and monitoring and reporting.

A further role for the Department is to promote environmentally sustainable practices, resource use and waste management. This involves the development, coordination and implementation of a range of strategies and programs, including education for industry and the community, and market development for recovered resources and recycled materials.

 

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