Environmental Sustainability in Schools

Resources

Watch Environmental Sustainability in Schools on Vimeo(opens in a new window) to see how this policy can be applied in schools.

ResourceSmart Schools(opens in a new window) can assist schools across most of the priority areas.

Schools are not required to use any of the resources listed in this section.

Supports to implement a whole school approach to sustainability

ResourceSmart Schools is a free Victorian government program offered by Sustainability Victoria that supports Victorian schools to embed sustainability across everything they do. The program provides practical support to schools to reduce resource use, make cost savings, integrate sustainability into the curriculum and share learnings with the wider community. Schools can join the program at any time by registering on the ResourceSmart Schools website(opens in a new window).

Supports for school leadership

• An Environmental Sustainability Plan template (DOCX)(opens in a new window) has been especially designed to help schools plan, implement and monitor their journey to improved environmental sustainability.
• The Emergency and Critical Incident Management Planning policy allows schools to plan for climate change related risks and adaptation in their emergency management planning by using information on PAL.

Supports for facilities and operations

• ResourceSmart Schools(opens in a new window) provides systems and supports to schools to reduce the environmental impact of facilities and operations.
• Sustainability Victoria(opens in a new window) has published a range of information about the single-use plastics ban to support implementation by organisations.
• Schools Water Efficiency Program(opens in a new window) allows Victorian schools to access their own water usage information through a fun educational online platform. Students and teachers can learn together about water consumption to help save water, save money and reduce environmental impacts. Participating schools receive access to a tailored curriculum program which uses the school’s water data in mathematics and science, as well as providing students with robust water saving messages to use at school and home.
• Victorian School Building Authority has information about school funding programs(opens in a new window) that schools can apply for to reduce their environmental impact.
• For information on installing solar in schools, refer to the Sustainable Facilities policy.
• Buy Recycled Directory(opens in a new window) lists suppliers of recycled materials and products in infrastructure, landscaping, parks and gardens. This service is part of Sustainability Victoria’s Recycled First Local Government program.

Supports for teaching and learning

• The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) explains the focus and intent of the Sustainability Cross Curriculum Priority (SCCP)(opens in a new window) and provides guidance on embedding environmental sustainability by curriculum area and year level.
• Cool Australia(opens in a new window) has a range of materials to support education on the topics of climate change, cultural burning, recycling and sustainability. An account may be required to access resources.
• Your Climate Superpowers(opens in a new window) supports children and young people to share their wisdom and creativity through a strengths-based online resource. It was created with and for children and young people along with researchers from the University of Melbourne.
• Environment Education Victoria (EEV)(opens in a new window) offers a range of resources, case studies and tools to support environmental sustainability action across all areas of school operations. The EEV is Victoria’s peak body for sustainability and environmental education.
• Australian Association for Environmental Education (AAEE)(opens in a new window) manages a curriculum-linked teaching and learning resources portal which is accessible via this website. AAEE is Australia’s peak professional body for environmental educators.
• The Climate Change Education Network(opens in a new window) is group of academics working in climate change education which provides resources to support climate change education. The network is also able to run professional learning workshops on climate change and climate change education on request.
• The Victorian Government provides information about the VET pathways at Vocational Education and Training Delivered to School Students. Refer to the Policy tab to understand the purpose of VDSS, the ways schools may offer VET to school students and how VDSS funding is allocated.

Supports for community partnerships

• Landcare Victoria(opens in a new window) supports one of the largest environmental volunteer organisations in Victoria focused on supporting community-led action in relation to environmentally sustainable land care. Schools can partner with Landcare to arrange tree-planting days and other activities.
• Zoo’s Victoria(opens in a new window) provides various programs and resources with a focus on wildlife conservation, including the Fighting Extinction Schools Program (watch Fighting Extinction Schools Program on Vimeo(opens in a new window)).
• VicRoads(opens in a new window) provides grants under Safe Routes to School Funding. Schools can apply to create a safe route to school (from issues identification through to implementation and evaluation). A school may also apply for funding for specific activities (for example, analysis, mapping and marking of routes to school) if it can demonstrate project need and benefits.
• Victoria School Gardens Program(opens in a new window) comprises grants, awards, professional development workshops and garden support. The program recognises the importance of outdoor spaces in progressive modern learning. School gardens offer abundant opportunities for children to learn about productive cultivation, biodiversity and sustainable practices.
• Bicycle Network(opens in a new window) Ride2School is a nationwide program delivered by Bicycle Network, designed to support schools to encourage, empower and enable more students to get physically active on their journey to school.
• Victoria Walks(opens in a new window) supports school communities to motivate and encourage students, families and staff to become healthier, happier and more active by walking. It provides a range of services and educational resources for both primary and secondary schools.
• Melbourne Water(opens in a new window) provides lesson plans and classroom activity sheets to educate students on a range of water-related themes, grouped by year level. You can also browse resources by curriculum area(opens in a new window).
• Country Fire Association (CFA)(opens in a new window) provides resources for schools to assist in responding to bush fires including lesson support resources, fact sheets and plan and prepare publications.

Supports for Koorie perspectives

• Koorie Education Coordinators(opens in a new window) provides assistance with Koorie cultural inclusion, Koorie education guidance and support through their region by contacting the Koorie Education Coordinators with enquiries. Service Support Managers can also be contacted to assist with referrals for Koorie Engagement Support Officers.
• Koorie Teaching Resources(opens in a new window) provides information to help people undertake an Acknowledgement of Country as well as guidance on protocols for teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
• Deadly questions(opens in a new window) gives non-Aboriginal Victorians the opportunity to ask the questions they have always wanted to ask but may be too afraid or embarrassed to ask. You can use this resource to develop a deeper understanding about Aboriginal culture and history.
• Deadly Story(opens in a new window) has a range of teaching, learning and knowledge-building resources from and about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, Country and community, including resources on food and agriculture and caring for Country.
• Indigenous Knowledge Institute(opens in a new window) offers curriculum resources integrating Indigenous knowledge, with a focus on the thematic areas of astronomy, fire, and water.
• Deadly Science(opens in a new window) provides STEM resources and learning experiences to regional and remote schools in Australia and connect young Indigenous people with STEM professionals through dedicated programs and grants.
• Reconciliation Victoria(opens in a new window) offers dedicated resources and support for schools on reconciliation in education. The Victorian state-wide body promoting deeper understanding, respect and justice for and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
• Junior Landcare(opens in a new window) professional development webinar illustrates how to connect with Traditional Owners and provides supporting resources for schools.
• Melbourne Local Aboriginal Networks and Gathering Places(opens in a new window) helps to find a Local Aboriginal Network or Gathering Place in Melbourne, including Maribyrnong, Frankston and metro. Some of these gathering places can support schools in teaching students about local Aboriginal culture.
• Victorian Education Excellence Awards(opens in a new window) explains why Reservoir East Primary school won an award for Outstanding Koorie Education. Read the description to understand what it looks like when schools integrate Koorie perspectives into education.
• First Peoples – State Relations(opens in a new window) group can advise on engaging with a local Traditional Owner organisation. Please engage with your Koorie Education Coordinator before reaching out directly to Traditional Owner organisations.
• Victoria Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated (VAEAI)(opens in a new window) represents the Koorie Community in relation to education policy development and strategic programming at the local, state and national levels. A range of Koorie Education Resources are available on their website. VAEAI can assist with engagement with local Koorie community representatives. Talk to your regional Koorie Education Coordinator before contacting VAEAI.

Supports for student-led action

• Primary English Teaching Association Australia(opens in a new window) created a webinar featuring a primary school teacher who speaks about the climate action group he runs for his students. He talks about how the group was started, the activities they undertake, and how a group like this can be implemented in other schools.
• Solway Primary School(opens in a new window) explains how it reduced its environmental impact through the ResourceSmart School program. Watch the video to understand how the program works in practice.
• Tyabb Primary School(opens in a new window) explains how it delivers against its commitment towards environmental education on its website. Read the information via the link to understand how environmental education can work in practice.