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Sustainable Schools

Our Junior Environmental Group forms the core of our Sustainable Schools Program and undertakes much of the work to promote and create a more sustainable future. We are very proud of the development of this group. The start of a more environmentally sustainable program at Lilydale West began in 2004. In 2009 we continue to strive for a better future and have come a long way in terms of daily practices.
Achievements so far:

  • Accredited as a 5 STAR Sustainable School ( currently Transitioning to ResourceSmart AuSSi Vic' )

  • Winners of the 2007 Rubbish Free Lunch Challenge (Advanced School Category)

  • We have zero landfill rubbish in the school ground. There are no land fill bins in the school ground. Only recycling bins are available. All rubbish for landfill must be taken home

  • The Recycling of paper, plastic, aluminium and glass is part of our everyday lives. Food scraps are composted through bins and the compost worm farm.

  • Rubbish Free Lunches are now an accepted part of the school culture

  • In 2008 we installed 4 tank to toilet flush systems using water caught from the school roof, saving us megalitres of water per year.

  • The installation of timers, delamping and the daily operation of our planet protectors checklist have seen our electricity bills cut by 25%

 

Plans and News for 2009

  • There will be a Junior Environmental Group excursion early in term one – details will be released once the 2009 group has been finalised. Our group leaders this year are:  Mikaela , Louisa , Daniel and David.

  • A reminder to all our families that our school is at zero landfill rubbish in the school ground. Only recycling bins are available no landfill bins are in the yard. All rubbish for landfill must be taken home by the children. The children have been told that chip and noodle packets are no longer allowed at school. So please use a reusable plastic container for these.

  • Aiming for 100% of children with rubbish free lunch boxes. This year we will be randomly choosing a day a week to check classes

  • Continue to develop our vegetable and herb gardens through the work of our fantastic parent volunteers and the level 2 and 3 children. Many thanks to the Schack family for installing protective netting over our garden during the holidays. Congratulations to Jacky Kooy and her team who were successful in applying for a $1,200 Telstra grant to install a drip watering system in the garden. Our herb garden figures are now in position on the herb garden fence. Thankyou to our veg. garden volunteers for keeping up the watering during the hot summer break.

  • We have received a $65,000 grant for the installation of solar and other energy saving or environmental projects in the school. This can include solar panels, water tanks and delamping of the Junior building

  • This year we will continue to work on our school gardens, developing different areas and making them as water efficient and as diverse as possible

  • This year, after having a rest from the competition in 2008, we plan to enter the Rubbish Free Lunch Challenge. We are hoping to add another win to our Advanced School Section Win in 2007.

  • We are aiming to achieve another 5 star rating to add to our existing Sustainable Schools rating. This time we are working towards the Yarra Ranges Shire 5 star rating which is very challenging indeed.

  • From June onwards the school will be involved in the Greenhouse Games (Schools Challenge) This is designed to change domestic behaviour and reduce Victorian household consumption of energy and water and the production of waste. The target is to involve approx. 3,000 families across Victoria and reduce energy consumption by 3,000 tonnes. We are hoping to involve as many of our families as possible. Keep an eye out for information coming home.

  • Participation in the Solar School pilot program in 2009

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