Hastings Primary school joined the Sustainable Schools Initiative only a short time ago in February 2006, and have already in September 2006 achieved a 5 star rating. This is as a result of the schools hard work on environmental issues before they even began the sustainable schools program, and the schools involvement with the Waste Wise school program.

There have been many benefits to the school since they have become a ‘5 star’ school. Some of these are:
• Increased community pride.
• Reduction in total waste.
• Students’growing awareness and commitment to sustainability strategies
• Confirmation of good practices at school and in the wider community including homes.
• Opportunity to publicise and promote sustainable schools in the media.
• Acknowledgement to the school community that positive actions have reaped rewards.
• Environmental education has a higher priority in the curriculum.
• Enjoyment of working in improved surroundings.
• Noticeable savings on water and energy.
• Recycling strategies embedded in school culture.

At Hastings Primary the staff are dedicated to incorporating sustainability into the school curriculum. Every class level dedicates one term a year to an integrated unit of study involving environmental education.
Level one – Minibeasts and the Environment.
Level two – Worm Farming, Composting and Mulching – self sufficient gardening.
Level three – Water Watch Program and local Mangrove studies – environmental impacts.
Level four – Weed Warriors Program – environmental impacts.

As a Waste Wise School they have all classes participating in a comprehensive recycling program. Food scraps are composted, there is a no litter in the playground policy and plastic and paper are sent to recyclers.

All students participate in the no-dig kitchen garden project. Every class has a designated energy and waste monitor responsible for performing a list of class and school tasks assigned to their roles.

Annually the whole school is involved in Environment Day – a range of rotational activities based around visiting experts and curriculum activities designed by teachers are enjoyed by students.

The school participates in National Tree Planting Day every year, with the focus on what and where to plant being determined by the Junior School Council.

While becoming a ‘5 star’ school Hastings Primary have undertaken many rewarding projects, such as:
• Whole staff professional development activities which enabled a shared. understanding and 100% staff commitment towards becoming a sustainable school
• Re-designing the curriculum to prioritise environmental education and engaging students with hands on and meaningful learning experiences.
• Implementation of whole school policies and strategies.
• Linking school programs with community projects – their Kings Creek Water Watch and Weed Warriors Programs have been acknowledged in the wider community and have provided the initiative for the Neighbourhood Renewal Program ( a recent State Government Initiative ) to prioritise the Kings Creek area in its strategic action plan.
• In 2005 Hastings Primary School participated in Keep Australia Beautiful ‘Tidy Towns’ awards under the Proud Schools section. In 2005 they won the regional ‘Young Legends Award’ and in 2006 they have won the State level ‘Young Legends Award’. The submission used for these awards reflected all the projects based around the Sustainable Schools programs.
• Following a whole school energy audit, they gained a $12,500 energy grant for energy savings strategies within the school buildings.
• Following a whole school water audit, they gained a $35,000 grant from the Community Water Grants program to upgrade student toilet facilities and installation of water tank to harvest water from the school roof.
• Funds from Investing in the Schools grant program, $25,000 have been spent on the school gardens to plant drought tolerant plants and develop a sensory garden for children. This project has included the involvement of students in planning and planting.

There is no time for stopping at Hastings Primary School and they are currently undertaking:
• Kings Creek Neighbourhood Renewal Program-continuing weed eradication with the breeding and releasing of leaf hoppers to destroy the bridle creeper which is strangling native vegetation along the creek banks.
• Application pending for Melbourne Water Stream Frontage Management program to remove 12 large pine trees along the banks of Kings Creek.
• Expansion of recycling program by promoting the reduction of packaging in student lunches and sending home excess litter.
• Ongoing school garden beautification projects – creation of learning landscapes eg. Sensory garden, herb garden, shade plantings, mulching and additions of drought tolerant plants.
• Installation of 17 dual flush toilets in the student toilet area and the installation of a new, large rain water tank to harvest rain water for use in toilet area.

This amazing school already have plans for future sustainability projects. They would like to:
• Create a frog bog.
• Build a hen house with a poultry enclosure.
• Extend the kitchen garden project with a larger area of land under cultivation incorporating an irrigation drip system.
• Development of a Secret Garden, Special Places garden incorporating specific garden areas focused on children’s interests, specific plantings and outdoor artworks made by students and community artists.
• Up-grade sports oval with improved drainage, aeration of soil and revegetation turf with kikuyu, a drought tolerant grass.
• Larger composting area.
• Establish an Environment Leadership Group, similar to the Junior School Council, with extended opportunities for increased student leadership.
• Continue and extend the Water Watch Program increasing the focus across the level 3 and involve the whole school in a water watch study.
• Continue working with Kings Creek Action group to restore the creek to its natural state and preserve the flora and fauna.
• Numeracy and literacy in level 4 to be strongly linked with sustainability.
• Continue with working bees to involve parent community in facilities and grounds maintenance and upgrades.
• Arboretum area to be given an upgrade.
• Continue links with Neighbourhood Renewal Committee and offer assistance with Kings Creek Project.

Throughout Hasting Primary’s sustainability journey they have seen many improvements in the school.
Energy:
• all classroom fluorescent light tubes have been changed to an energy efficient system, where only 2 tubes are required to replace the old ones and provide improved light but 30% energy savings.
• End of day, week and term procedures in place for classroom computers and computer labs, including installation of multi switches for the labs.
• Gas pilot lights switched off over summer.
• Decreased total gas use per year by 46,461 MJ.
• Greenhouse gas emissions for gas use per year has decreased by 2,787.96 Kg CO₂.
• Timed, push button light switches in rooms where lights were left on for long periods.
• Rewiring of lights to reduce numbers turned on at one switch eg in corridors.
• Skylights installed in areas where lighting was usually required.
• Percentage of staff that drive to school has decreased by 15%.
• Percentage of staff that ride, walk or catch public transport to school has increased by 15%.
• Volume of petrol used for transport per year has decreased by 11,425 Litres.

Waste:
• Waste pickup has been reduced with hopper being emptied once a fortnight .instead of weekly, creating a 50% reduction in waste going to landfill – expectation to reduce again to every 3 weeks.
• Classrooms are almost waste neutral, and they have a litter free playground.
• Increased school community acceptance and awareness of waste limiting practises in children’s lunch boxes.

Water:
• Reduced water usage in gardens by use of drought tolerant plants.
• Improved monitoring and reporting of leaks and therefore regular plumbing. maintenance on water fixtures in classrooms and playground.
• Installation of two water tanks and dual flush toilet systems.
• Urinal upgrade to prevent water waste.

Biodiversity:
• Up to 1000 new plants planted for provision of shade, with a drought tolerant and indigenous focus on plant selection.
• Whole school involvement in composting, worm farming, mulching and vegetable garden use.
• Self sufficiency approach with vegetables grown being used in health and nutrition/cooking programs.
• Involvement with Kings Creek project for restoration and preservation, including flora and fauna audits.
• Consultation with wider community including Mornington Peninsula Shire, Warringine Park Rangers and Melbourne Water.

More info.

For more information please contact Joanne Munn on (03) 5979 1517, email hastings.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au.

Return to list of 5 Star Schools