By Matthew Sims
From plastic-free lunches to a new ‘eco cubby’, Strathaird Primary School in Narre Warren South has always had a focus on sustainability since its inception in 2005.
The school has been named as a finalist in Sustainability Victoria’s 2023 ResourceSmart Schools Awards in the Curriculum Leadership Primary School of the Year award.
Foundation to Grade 6 pupils complete environmental sustainability as a specialist subject while incorporating science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) areas.
Last year, the school community came together to design and launch the construction of a purpose-built ‘eco cabin’ and ‘eco cubby’ as hubs for sustainability education and ongoing efforts.
Built with recycled materials and equipped with a kitchen to extend the schools kitchen garden program, the buildings would also be used to teach sustainability.
Environmental sustainability teacher Renee Van Styn said the school community was “really excited” to learn they were a finalist in the awards.
“If you teach kids to love nature, then they’re going to be more respectful of nature,” she said.
“We’re really seeing it reflected in the classroom.
“The community is starting to catch up.”
Ms Van Styn said the school nominated a ‘Green Team’ consisting of 12 Grade 5 pupils, with duties including monitoring the school’s waste and recycling, brainstorming new environmental projects and helping to maintain the school’s vegetable garden
“They’re so passionate about it,” she said.
“It really is part of our school culture.”
Ms Van Styn said the school has been engaging a designer for the ‘eco cubby’ project, with plans to launch the project by the end of the year to drive an ongoing focus on sustainability lessons, initiatives and programs.
“We try and do things that are fun and connect with nature,” she said.
“They gain that love of nature.”
Other planned initiatives at the school include an ‘eco trail’ including signage about different sustainability tips around the school grounds and an upcoming focus on ocean health.
Sustainability Victoria joint regions and community action director Katie Pahlow said the awards would celebrate young people and schools leading the way on sustainability, creating real impact for Victorian communities beyond the school gate.
“It’s important to remember that no action is too small and together we can achieve great things for our environment and generations to come,” she said.
ResourceSmart Schools is a free State Government program delivering sustainability education to help Victorian schools minimise waste, save energy and water, promote biodiversty and act on climate change.
This year’s winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at the MCG on Thursday 15 June.
To view this year’s finalists, visit www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/resourcesmart-schools-awards.
