This year we joined the AuSSIVic Resource Smart Schools Program which takes the College down the path of a five star sustainability rating. 

Our first step in this program helps us collects the information we need to reduce our energy use and generation of waste material.  Hand in hand with this is the creation and implementation of a number of staff, student and joint projects throughout the school.  

We currently have a number of working parties operating in the College that are busy supporting around 25 small and large projects. They include:

Kitchen Garden (Middle Years), Overseas Aid & Volunteer Work, Bikes & Public Transport, Relationship Building with Edendale Farm, Photocopying and Printing, Paper Recycling, Solar in Schools Program, Bird Bowls and Baths, Sustainability Themed Book Purchasing & Library Displays, Possum Boxes, Electricity Reduction, Kitchen Garden (ELC), Environmental Reserve (Restoration & Development), Environmental Reserve (Curriculum), Green Procurement Policy, Furniture, Recycling, Mobile Phone Recycling, LiLi Water Project (Years 3 & 4)

The primary focus for the remainder of 2009 is Environmental Sustainability.  We are also addressing the other four ‘fingers’ of sustainability (Personal, Cultural, Social and Financial Sustainability). 

The restructure of the Junior and Middle Years gives the College the ideal structure to create themes and modules of work that address sustainability issues.  2009 sees a focus on community in the Middle Years, for example.  The City Campus and SeniorYears are teaching and creating new units of work with our sustainability focus in mind.  The College is a vibrant and interesting place in this regard. 

For the first time we now have in place a Sustainability Officer.  Nick Nicholls’ role is to work with students, staff and the broader College community to lead the way along the sustainability path.  If you wish to contact Nick you can email him at nnicholls@elthamcollege.vic.edu.au or by phone on 9437 1421.  The2009 Environment Captain is Brit Green and she can be contacted through Nick Nicholls or via Reception on 9437 1421.