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Our journey to greater sustainability
The Background
Canterbury Girls High School students have been taking action for the environment for over a decade, initially working to conserve the Cooks River through Streamwatch projects. The students are now focussing their energy closer to home with the CREW (Cooks River and Environment Watch) leading the way in school based sustainability. Year 8 Science classes took on the challenge to redesign the schools gardens, conduct school wide eco-audits and set about achieving their school's sustainability goals.
The Project
The school's sustainability education is student driven and student focussed, supported greatly by teacher Helen Lee. Through eco-audits, students thoroughly researched ways of increasing the school’s sustainability. The audits addressed a range of sustainability issues including energy and water usage, waste, recycling and biodiversity. Students spent time discussing ways of achieving their sustainability goals. They surveyed a range of cultural groups to explore different possible approaches to creating a more sustainable school. Students worked cooperatively with local schools, community groups, the local council and local politicians to achieve their goals. In addition to the school eco-audits and re-designing the school gardens, students actively participate in community events, local youth environment forums and continue to submit grant applications to further their environment work. Sustainability has been holistically integrated into the Stage 4 Science curriculum and through ongoing student action the whole school is on a journey to greater sustainability.
The Journey
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Environmental learning is student focussed. With strong teacher support, students envisage their own sustainability goals and work collectively to achieve them.
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All students take home the message of sustainability. Students experience sustainability challenges, create their own solutions and share what they have learnt with their families and communities.
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This project fosters critical thinking, problem solving skills and a holistic approach to sustainability education.
By conducting eco-audits, students explored a wide range of interconnected sustainability issues in a realistic setting. Students used their research and critical thinking skills to create their own solutions to the school's sustainability challenges.
