School gets a green tick

MARAMBA Primary School students may wear blue uniforms but they wouldn’t look out of place in green.
The Narre Warren school recently celebrated becoming an official Five Star Sustainable School after an audit was conducted on energy use throughout the campus.
Environmental initiatives coordinator and grade two teacher Claire Boersma said the school had reduced energy and water use along with greenhouse gas emissions.
“The reduction in our energy consumption between 2005 and 2006 has meant 20 tonnes less of coal being burnt,” she said.
“This has decreased our greenhouse pollution by a volume that would fill 171 train carriages.”
Surplus lighting has been turned off, motion sensors installed and computer power boards have been switched off at the wall, Ms Boersma said.
“Energy monitors have been appointed for each classroom to switch off when appliances are no longer in use.
“Our largest producer of greenhouse gases is the transportation of students to and from school. Students are encouraged to walk to school using The Walking School Bus,” she said.
“In an attempt to reduce what the school sends to landfill, we have recycling of paper as well as aluminium, glass, tetra packs and containers with the recycling symbol.
“In the area of water we have had flow control valves fitted to all taps and installed a no-flush urinal to further reduce our water usage.”
Ms Boersma said the school had worked closely with various organisations to help implement the changes including Victoria University, Australian Greenhouse Office and Sustainability Victoria.
“Rubbish free lunches are also encouraged and monitors called nude food dudes check that no rubbish goes out into the playground. This has resulted in a clean and welcoming school grounds,” she said.