School Environmental Management Plan

Transcription

1 Sustainability North College School Environmental Management Plan This School Environmental Management Plan (SEMP) outlines Sustainability North College s commitment to sustainability. It highlights our achievements to date and a plan for what we would like to achieve in the future. This SEMP has been developed as part of ResourceSmart Schools, which we joined in ResourceSmart Schools is a Victorian Government initiative that will help our school benefit from embedding sustainability in everything we do. Our school will take action to minimise waste, save energy and water, promote biodiversity and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Sustainability Victoria and Westside Council have funded us to participate in ResourceSmart Schools and receive facilitation support from CERES. Our SEMP is made up of the following key documents: A. Education for Sustainability Vision B. Sustainability Policy C. Green Procurement Policy D. Sustainability Snapshot E. Curriculum Review Date of next review: September 2017

2 A. Education for Sustainability Vision At Sustainability North College we strive to inspire our whole school community to connect with the environment and to make positive contribution to sustainability at school, home and beyond. B. Sustainability Policy Rationale Sustainability North College aims to reduce our ecological footprint through adopting sustainable practises in our everyday practices. We will achieve this by continuing to integrate sustainability into all areas of the curriculum and instilling a sense of ownership of and pride in improving the environment. We will lead the community by demonstrating exemplary practices in waste management, water and energy usage, and continue to develop the school grounds to promote biodiversity. Guidelines Energy Reduce the use of energy consumption within the school. Where possible, replace fluorescent lights with LED lamps. Use resources and equipment as efficiently as possible. Include students in the process of developing and maintaining an Energy Efficient school. Students to be responsible for reducing energy use in their classrooms e.g. monitors Reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. Waste To minimise rubbish and recycle our waste throughout the school, as much as possible, on a daily basis. To minimise the amount of paper waste that is produced. E.g. use paper on both sides, shred the paper etc. Students to take responsibility for disposing of food scraps, paper and rubbish in the appropriate manner. To reduce contamination of commingled (container) recycling. To have a Nude Food School on a permanent basis and students to take home any rubbish they bring to school. To maintain the compost bin/worm farm. Biodiversity To use a garden plan for the future development of our school grounds. To utilise our garden area to its full extent. To involve community members in maintenance of school grounds. For each year level to have ownership in the upkeep of an area of school grounds. Water To reduce the water consumption within the school. To use resources and equipment as efficiently as possible. To involve students and staff in the planning of water conservation initiatives.

3 Aims and Targets We aim to achieve the following goals and targets over the next three years: 1. To reduce waste by 25%. 2. To reduce water consumption by 10%. 3. To reduce energy consumption by 25%. 4. To increase the school community s involvement in the vegetable garden. Implementation Curriculum focus There will be an environmental focus incorporated into the inquiry unit across all year levels and in the classroom where possible. Energy To promote a switch off when you leave policy for technological equipment, lighting and heating/cooling. Students to engage in units of work relating to energy. Students will investigate the best ways to conserve energy. Waste To assign students to dispose of waste and recycled products daily in the appropriate manner. Student monitors to collect food waste daily and transfer it to the compost bin. Encourage use of both sides of the paper before disposal. Encourage double-sided printing/photocopying where possible. Use recycled paper for printers, photocopiers. Promote the reuse of one-sided paper in classrooms, staffroom and office. Shredded paper to be disposed of into the compost bin. Biodiversity Consult local community members on ways to improve our garden (e.g. Where to plant, what to plant). Involve community members in planting and maintaining our gardens. Enhance the wetlands area to attract more wildlife and to provide a wildlife corridor. Engage students and staff in the maintenance of our gardens. Continue to grow and harvest a range of vegetables/herbs to be utilised in kitchen classes. Water To promote a water-wise turn off policy. Students to engage in units of work relating to water conservation. To assign students to monitor water usage and report wastage. Repair and replace faulty taps when required. Plant trees and plants that require minimal watering.

4 Community Involvement We will encourage community participation in environmental projects undertaken, as well as invite parents with expertise to help maintain and improve our school environment. We will also promote sustainable living through educating the school community through our students. All people within our school will be informed and responsible for implementing these programs. The various committees in conjunction with the Principal will be responsible for keeping records and reporting on the outcomes and progress of each program to the whole school community, through school newsletters and the annual report. The parties involved will provide reports to staff and School Council outlining the goals, aims, costing, savings and other relevant issues. Evaluation This policy will be reviewed every three years. Next review: September 2017 C. Green Procurement Policy Rationale Sustainability North College is committed to sustainable practices within its community. It will endeavour to purchase green products in order to reduce its environmental impact and to help close the loop. Sustainability North College wishes to reduce its ecological footprint and to educate students on making environmentally friendly choices for life. Guidelines When feasible, Sustainability North College will: Purchase 100% recycled paper for printers and photocopiers. Set printers to double sided print as default. Limit the amount of advertising materials sent home to students. Purchase furniture, equipment and other materials made from recycled materials. Source recycled products for book orders. Evaluation This policy will be reviewed every three years. Next review: Semptember 2017

5 D. Sustainability Snapshot In this snapshot we are documenting workplace, infrastructure and daily operations and community engagement plus identifying opportunities for improvement. Last updated: September 2014 Resource Area BIODIVERSITY ENERGY WASTE WATER Targets Increase our habitat quality score every year 250 kwh of electricity 0.9 GJ of natural gas 0.4 tonnes CO 2 greenhouse gas per student, per year 0.3 m 3 of landfill waste per student, per year 4 KL of mains water per student, per year

6 BIODIVERSITY What we are doing? What could we do better? What else could we do? Audit Investigations Measuring the number, health and types of plants and animals Garden classes Lots of garden areas Lots of diverse plants More animal homes Need to conduct biodiversity audit Start monitoring Habitat Gardens Gardens for indigenous plants and animals We have plants that encourage bird life Diverse plants Wetlands snakes and frogs Butterfly garden We have rules about the wetlands We encourage respect for the environment Nesting boxes Bird bath Food Gardens Vegetable and herb gardens, chickens, compost, worm farms Orchard Greenhouse Kitchen Garden Program for 3-6 Are they making a link? Re-do indigenous garden Activating Our Community Educating and empowering the people in our school and local community eg. projects, campaigns, events, school tours, sharing our stories Nude Food Days Clean Up Aus Day Enviro Week World Enviro Day Newsletter articles Staff PD Kitchen Garden Enviro Ed as a subject Working Bees I sea, I care Eco Cubby Regular Emu Bobs Make canteen user friendly More Nude Food encouragement Make Nude Food Day everyday instead of once a term.

7 Student Leadership & Celebration Student role models, leaders, teams, clubs Celebrating and lifting the profile of what we do Enviro Leaders Animal Carers Classroom monitors for compost bins etc Competition for Nude Food Day Clean Up Australia Day Earth Hour Walk safely to school Posters, Campaigns and student projects More information at assemblies and/or announcements ENERGY What we are doing? What could we do better? What else could we do? Audit Investigations Measuring electricity, gas and how people travel to and from school Walk to school day SWEP monitor our energy use Walking school bus More kids should be walking/riding to school Using SWEP resources Energy Efficiency Lighting, heating, cooling, computers, appliances, signage, renewable energy Turning off unused appliances Timer lights Motion sensor lights Energy saving photocopiers Using natural light in classrooms Signs in classrooms to turn off lights Solar panels on roof More Solar panels More efficient appliances Encourage wearing jumpers in winter instead of having heaters on all the time Keep heating/air con at a comfortable level Delamping in some areas? Solar hot water 5 star appliances Activating Our Community Educating and empowering the people in our school and local community eg. projects, campaigns, events, school tours, sharing our stories Food Garden Program Nude Food days Earth hour Walk to school day Enviro Ed Environment in mentioned in school tours Working Bees School Grounds for Learning Assembly updates on how we re going More Enviro stuff in the newsletters

8 Student Leadership & Celebration Student role models, leaders, teams, clubs Celebrating and lifting the profile of what we do Enviro and Kitchen Leaders Garden Clubs Wetlands Club Compost and Recycling Monitors Animal Carers Garden leaders Nude Food Competitions Nude Food Week instead of random days WASTE Audit Investigations Measuring landfill waste, recycling, compost, rubbish free lunches, paper usage What we are doing? Small landfill bins and large recycling bins Recycle Paper Compost bins in classrooms Recycling bins for containers in classrooms Nude Food Days What could we do better? What else could we do? Reduce canteen litter Encourage more double sided printing Reuse old worksheets Shred used paper and put in compost Waste Systems Signage, using bins, rubbish free lunches, paper use and reuse, collecting food scraps Nude Food Days Compost for garden Container recycling 2 nd hand uniform shop Purchase a bokashi bin Increase signage in classrooms, corridors, offices, public places in school. Use less paper! (students to be involved in monitoring paper being used on both sides before it is recycled) Mobile phone recycling Green Purchasing Buying products that are better for the environment and for the people who are involved in making them (fair trade) Recycled toilet paper Buy paper made from recycled paper Buy more fair trade products Environmentally friendly cleaning products

9 Activating Our Community Educating and empowering the people in our school and local community eg. projects, campaigns, events, school tours, sharing our stories Student Leadership & Celebration Student role models, leaders, teams, clubs Celebrating and lifting the profile of what we do Enviro blog Share student projects more Run more competitions with families and communities Keep people informed of our energy/water use, via newsletters and school website Enviro Leaders Apply for ResourceSmart Awards for Nude Food Schools awards results Garden Club Animal Carers WATER What we are doing? What could we do better? What else could we do? Audit Investigations Measuring our water use, our impact on our waterways, litter, soil, run off Wetlands provide a home for frogs and other native wildlife Mulch Measuring water use through SWEP All water off our buildings goes either into our water tanks or wetlands Put signs up to remind students to use less water Sensors on taps New washers Water Efficiency Pipes, tanks, taps, toilets, dishwashers, appliances, sprinklers, irrigation, gardens Using water tanks Mulch/compost use Native plants in wetlands Block off grassed areas for growth Reduced pressure on students taps and cisterns Cleaners store room has a leaking tap Other leaking taps in toilets Buckets under taps for plants Water funnels for new trees Toilets flushed using tank water

10 Activating Our Community Educating and empowering the people in our school and local community eg. projects, campaigns, events, school tours, sharing our stories Grade 5 Frog project corroborree frog Enviro videos Posters in kitchen/toilet etc Implement Eco Cubby Project Student Leadership & Celebration Student role models, leaders, teams, clubs Celebrating and lifting the profile of what we do Grade 6 Enviro Leaders Discuss at assemblies Attend Melbourne Water Kids Teaching Kids conference

11 E. Curriculum Overview We are committed to including a sustainability/environmental focus into inquiry units across all year level and as part of daily classroom practices where possible. Last updated: September 2014 Year Name of Inquiry Unit, Curriculum Area or Learning Activity Biodiversity Water Waste Energy Term 2 (WED) - Climate change Term 3 & 4 (Food Garden Program) (Life cycle of plant, seed dispersal, chicken anatomy, history of gardening, benefits of bees, compost, daylight changes) Term 2 (WED) Frogs and invertebrates in our wetlands Term 3 &4 Animals One semester (Food Garden Program) (Life cycle of plant, seed dispersal, chicken anatomy, history of gardening, benefits of bees, compost, daylight changes) Term 2 (WED) Birdlife bird nesting birds One semester (Food Garden Program) (Life cycle of plant, seed dispersal, chicken anatomy, history of gardening, benefits of bees, compost, daylight changes) Term 4 - Geography Term 2 (WED) Interactive Catchment Education One semester (Food Garden Program) (Life cycle of plant, seed dispersal, chicken anatomy, history of gardening, benefits of bees, compost, daylight changes)

12 2 1 P Term 2 (WED) Interactive Water Cycle Term 3 Natural disasters Term 3 Food chains Term 4 Landmarks Term 3 Nude Food Term 2 (WED) Recycling Race Term 1 Habitats Term 3 Endangered animals Term 3 Nude Food Term 2 (WED) - Compost and worms Term 1 Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Term 2 Connecting to Nature Term 3 Weather Term 4 Animal coverings/baby animals Term 3 Nude Food Term 4 Geography e.g. school, home, natural/man-made