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Education Programs - Secondary

Education programs in schools play a vital role in achieving long-term attitudinal and behavioural change to water and the way we use it. This category is open to schools and organisations that have developed and are delivering water conservation programs.

Congratulations to our winner, Mount Gravatt High

EducationPrograms-Secondary

WINNER


Mount Gravatt High

One of the major environmental focuses of Mount Gravatt High School, Queensland, has been the conservation of catchment and wetland areas and the use of renewable energy sources to save the environment.

The Tingalpa Project is a recent example of the school’s wetland restoration efforts, whereby students visit the Tingalpa Wetlands several times throughout the year to plant natives and remove the introduced weed, Water Hyacinth.

Additionally, over the past nine years, groups of year 11 students (as part of an assessment item), in association with B4C (the local catchment group), have been repairing the riparian corridor of the Bulimba Creek Catchment region. The school’s concentration on preserving these areas has resulted in the protection of the Water Ribbon Plant (which was found for the first time in 100 years) and in Mount Gravatt High School being one of only two state high schools invited to take part in the Twinning Project which focuses on local and world catchment area issues.

Along with its catchment and wetland conservation programs, Mount Gravatt High School has implemented several other schemes within the school to assist in saving water. These projects include: the development of a water-wise mascot Tommy Tap Off; the installation of two 10,000 litre water tanks and drip irrigation; school assemblies and meetings to discuss water-wise practices; planting of native vegetation and increased mulching to reduce watering; and installing spring loaded taps (self turning off) in toilets. Through these changes Mount Gravatt High School has seen a significant reduction in water usage. Over the three periods shown, the school has saved more than 99,990 litres. It shows how a small school in Brisbane can make a big difference to saving water.

Judges’ comment: Excellent engagement in catchment conservation programs, in particular wetland restoration and riparian repair in addition to excellent water conservation activities in the school. Furthermore, the school has engaged with many other businesses and government agencies in promoting their water saving and conservation activities.




FINALIST


Caroline Chisholm College

Caroline Chisholm College, New South Wales, has a dedicated environmental team, which has created a School Environmental Sustainability Plan that sets environmental goals and objectives for the school. The environmental projects designed by the team are implemented by the students and teachers. Additionally, the school ensures whole school awareness of water initiatives and water conservation through its curriculum.

The school’s water saving efforts have involved a number of activities: installing rainwater tanks, auditing water use and explicit teaching of sustainable use of natural resources.

“Water restrictions in Sydney have limited the plant production required for our agriculture curriculum. The rainwater tanks enable us to water our horticulture areas without using precious potable water,” reports Shelley Baldwin, an agriculture/science teacher.

“We’ve installed four 10,000 litre rainwater tanks, a pump and an irrigation line, to distribute water to the school’s agricultural zones for stock watering and horticultural enterprises.”

Rainwater is also used to flush toilets, wash art/science apparatus and irrigate the school grounds. Students also conduct regular water audits to determine wastage in the school

Caroline Chisholm College’s efforts in water conservation have been recognised through winning the Penrith Lakes Development Corporation Schools Water Conservation Competition in both 2006 and 2007.

Since the introduction of its environmental programs, Caroline Chisholm College has saved approximately 1.6ML of water per year.

Judges’ comment: Caroline Chisholm College has engaged well with the student body developing a dedicated environment team and creating a school environmental sustainability plan, in addition to many water saving initiatives and local biodiversity activities.