| “The most rewarding
thing about becoming a sustainable school is feeling that
all of us at Bostock House are making a difference”.
(Teacher from Geelong Grammar, Bostock House)
Geelong Grammar, Bostock House became a 5 star Sustainable
School in November 2006. They believe that education provides
one of the most effective means that society possesses for
meeting the challenges of the future. Bostock House believe
that learning to live sustainably so they can improve the
quality of all life without endangering the future of the
environment and its inhabitants, while at the same time repairing
damage done, is a challenge that faces us all.
Bostock House believe that schools are uniquely placed to
help children and young people meet the challenge of a sustainable
future. The school is endeavouring to make sustainability
an integral part of the way they work by giving a good example,
implementing sustainability into teaching and also incorporating
sustainability into the way the campus business is conducted.
Their aim is to develop sound environmental values in their
community through quality teaching and learning which in turn
will be demonstrated through the school’s positive environmental,
educational and economic outcomes.
To this end Bostock House have decided to integrate Sustainable
Education into a holistic program that has educational, economic
and social objectives and outcomes.
They have endeavoured to improve their performance and programs
in the areas of associated integrated curriculum, water and
energy conservation and biodiversity studies. Their objective
is to involve the whole school community in the sustainable
management of the school and where possible increase awareness
of the same issues in the local community.
Bostock House students have gained a great deal of satisfaction
from their involvement in a variety of revegetation exercises
outside the school. The hands-on experience serves to allow
them to be involved in a concrete way of helping and restoring
the environment and they have taken enormous pride in their
work.
Year one and three buddies are involved in planting trees
one day each year at the Geelong Grammar Corio Campus. The
exercise has been undertaken for the past nine years and those
involved have marvelled at the growth of their trees when
they have moved on to the senior school.
Year three and four students have been involved in sand dune
revegetation projects at Ocean Grove, Jan-Juc and Torquay.
Each classroom at Bostock House is provided with three bins:
One is for food scraps which are fed to the worms, goats,
rabbits, guinea pigs and chooks. Worm castings are sent home
with children for use in their own gardens as a way of letting
parents know about the sustainability of the school. Children
have also been encouraged to minimise the amount of food wrappings
they bring to school, and eat lunch inside in order to minimise
rubbish. A recent audit of rubbish in the school grounds showed
a significant reduction of waste being produced. The second
bin is for recyclable paper. Recycled paper is put out for
collection or is shredded for the worm farm, and the third
bin is for rubbish that can’t be recycled.
All classes undertake units on energy conservation as an
integral part of the curriculum. Buddy activities and involvement
in programs like “Energy Watchit’ form a good
part of the work on energy. The children also enjoy using
computer programs like Energy Hog and taking home ‘The
Energy Audit’. Feedback from parents has indicated that
many have changed energy consumption behaviours in the home
as a result of using the program.
All classrooms, staff room, library, art room, multi-purpose
room, toilets and offices have notices on the walls reminding
occupants of energy saving behaviours. Some examples of the
types of notices they have posted are:
• Turn off lights/heating/air conditioning before leaving
the room
• Dress warmly before using the heater
• If appropriate open the windows for cooling before
using the air conditioning
Class work is presented in assemblies, in drama performances
and in the school bulletin.
Some of the activities that Bostock House have implemented
in order to reduce energy consumption are:
• Reminder signage in all areas
• Thermostats have been put on heaters and air conditioners
• Water heaters have been appropriately adjusted
• Air flow considerations are being used
• 5 star fridges, dishwashers etc are being used
• Appropriate use of blinds/curtains is ensured
• Movement sensor security lighting has been installed
• Solar powered lights have been placed in the entrance
path
• Skylights are in toilets, art room and copier room
• Energy efficient globes have been installed
• Photocopier now has a sleep mode
• Classroom computers are turned off at night
• Weather strips have been placed on all doors
• Security lighting is maintained
• Ceiling fans are used effectively
• Insulation has been installed
Water conservation practices, the water cycle and alternative
sources of water are all aspects of the curriculum at Bostock
House. They also incorporate visits to Barwon Water sights
and encourage water savings at school not only through awareness
but also by posting reminders for children and staff in appropriate
places such as:
• Turn off taps after use
• Place a plug in the sink when using running water
• Use the half flush button when appropriate
Children are also encouraged to take the message home with
them and many parents have reported that their children have
had an enjoyable time in educating them about the value of
water conservation in the home. The year three children also
use the ‘Ollie Water’ computer program.
Bostock House has recently installed a timed automatic irrigation
system and they are in the process of obtaining quotes for
the installation of timed drinking taps, hand washing taps
and two rainwater tanks. One tank will service the toilets
in the Early Learning Centre and the other will provide water
to their livestock. The children enjoy performances by The
Wollongong Theatre Group, Tree Musketeers and The Eel People.
Staff development has also occurred through the assistance
of Melbourne Water.
Some of the initiatives that Bostock house have implemented
in order to save water are:
• Reminder signage in has been placed in the art room,
staff room, toilets etc
• Taps and general plumbing is maintained and updated
if necessary
• Water temperature and pressure settings have been
changed to a more appropriate level
• A 5 star dishwasher has been installed
• Timed drinking and hand washing taps are soon to be
installed
• Gardens are mulched and composted
• A night watering timer system has been installed
• Collection of stormwater for reuse is currently under
consideration
• Stormwater pits are maintained
• Rinse and wash protocols have been put in place
• Gutters and pipes are maintained
• Dual flush toilets have been installed
Years three and four take part in a unit on endangered animals
and the reasons for their plight. Particular emphasis is placed
on habitat destruction and what society can do to help rectify
the problem.
The students also visit the Werribee Zoo and take part in
a role play called African Safari that deals with issues about
poaching and the environment.
In recent times the school have acquired a menagerie of
animals that are for the most part cared for by the prep class.
The children feed the animals daily using recycled food scraps
left over from the student’s lunches. In the future
the animal’s water will be provided by rainwater tanks.
The animals form the basis for a wide range of studies in
many curriculum areas for the children in the junior part
of the school. The children are the proud carers of goats,
rabbits, guinea pigs and chooks. The preps also grow vegetables
which they are able to take home and they take it in turns
to take home eggs provided by the chooks.
The children have taken part in various revegetation programs
and Clean Up Australia Day. They plan to plant more flowering
native plants in their garden in 2007 in order to attract
more native birdlife and to encourage them to nest in the
school grounds. The children will also help build nesting
boxes. Bostock House have a predominantly European garden
and are obligated by Heritage rules to retain most of it,
however, they hope to save water and attract birds to the
grounds by converting as much of it as they can to a native
garden.
Geelong Grammar, Bostock House have found the process of
becoming a five star sustainable school to be a very enriching
and rewarding one. The most satisfying aspect of the journey
has been witnessing the positive change in the attitude and
behaviours of students, staff and the wider school community
towards a wide range of concerns facing the planet. Their
overall awareness of environmental issues has increased dramatically
as has their belief that they can be a part of the solution
to the problems that face everyone now and possibly in the
future.
Students have demonstrated their beliefs and values through
their actions as well as through discussions and written work
in the various key learning areas. The school grounds are
noticeably cleaner, greater attention is paid to saving energy
and water and the children are thoroughly enjoying recycling
food scraps to the school’s livestock and helping care
for the garden. Teachers have remarked on the high level of
interest and enjoyment displayed by the children while taking
part in the academic work and associated activities and parents
have mentioned that their children are bringing the information
they have learnt back to the home.
More
info.
For more information please contact the Head of Bostock House
Jenny Hendry on (03) 5221 7760, email jennyh@ggs.vic.edu.au
or go to the Geelong Grammar School website at http://www.ggscorio.vic.edu.au.
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