Lilydale West Primary School is a school known for the value it places on good relationships between students, teachers and parents. The teachers at Lilydale West Primary realize that working towards sustainability is extremely important for their student’s futures. Lilydale West began their journey towards being a sustainable school in 2004, and have recently, only two years later achieved 5 star status.

There have been many benefits to Lilydale West since becoming a five star school, the main one has been being recognised as a leading school in environmental practices. Teacher Gabrielle Luscombe said “It means providing opportunities for our students to learn about sustainable living practices which empowers and engages them in being environmentally responsible young citizens.” Teachers at Lilydale West also believe becoming a 5 star school improves the image, appearance and marketability of the school and also means considerable financial savings in waste disposal, cleaning, water bills and energy bills.

Putting sustainability issues into the school curriculum is an integral part to the sustainable school process. All classes at Lilydale West Primary have a reduce, reuse, recycle program in their classrooms. Scrap pap er is reused in the classroom, specific collection bins are used for recycling paper, plastic containers and food scraps are collected for the school compost and worm farm. Every week the Junior Environmental Group award a classroom with the “Planet Protector” trophy (seen in photo). In order to receive the trophy, the classes must use the bins correctly, keep lights off when not in the classroom and keep computers on standby when not in use. A class is also awarded the Rubbish Free Lunch certificate on a weekly basis. The class that has the most rubbish free lunches on any given day is awarded this certificate. Level 3 students are responsible for the food scrap and recycling bins.

The Junior Environmental Group participate in joint projects with environmental groups such as Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater, Friends of Wandin Yallock Creek, Friends of Yarra Flats Bi llabongs Inc., and Melbourne Water Watch (North Boonerwrung Waterwatch) Level 2 have already covered the “Turn off the Tap” program and they are also part of the “I Sea I Care” program in level 4. The school has participated in a joint science project with other local schools, the emphasis being on Healthy Waterways. The Art program has encouraged Environmental Activities through Art competitions. Lilydale West came 2nd in the ARC competition and one student has recently been short listed for the EPA calendar competition.

Lilydale West Primary has been successful in some grant applications which have allowed them to:
• buy compost bins, worm farms and a water tank
• develop indigenous gardens
• create a mini pond
• create a very successful vegetable garden that is protected by a fence
• buy 5 star appliances such as fridges, ovens, heaters and air conditioners as well as replacing fluorescent tubes with energy efficient globes and installing timers and sensors on water boiling units and lights.

The grants that the school have obtained have enabled Lilydale West to input sustainability issues in all four module areas; water, waste, energy and biodiversity, but most importantly they ha ve all owed them to considerably reduce the school’s greenhouse gas emissions and to save money, which in turn, can be spent on other programs to benefit students.

A rewarding project that Lilydale West has undertaken is their very successful vegetable garden which is supported by a very strong parent group, who have initiated cooking classes. The extension art group has completed vegetable clay pieces to decorate the “vegi” garden. This garden is ongoing and incorporates the use of the produce in the school cooking program. One class has entered this garden in to the “Omo – Dirt is Good” competition and produced a DVD entitled “Two Peas in a Pod”. An irrigation system and timer has recently been installed to add to the success of this patch. Gabrielle says that the eagerness and growing awareness of environmental issues by the wonderful Junior Environmental Group has been a very satisfying experience.

Lilydale West have many projects on the go. They are presently developing indigenous garden beds along one side of the school building. They will be applying for Round 3 of the Commonwealth Government Community Water grant in 2007. If successful, tanks will be installed to operate a tank to toilet flush system, old taps will be replaced by timed taps and the junior toilets will be upgraded to be more water efficient. A hobby group is building bird houses and feeders for the gardens and they are writing a canteen policy and changing the food availability to a healthy eating menu.

Lilydale West have been inspired by their sustainability journey and see no reason to stop and already have many future plans based around the four sustainable schools modules:

Water
• As mentioned previously, if successful with the water grant next year, a tank to toilet system will be implemented, junior toilets will be upgraded to dual flush and replacement of old taps with spring loaded taps will take place. They aim to continue to reduce water consumption by 10% each year.

Energy
• Aim to reduce energy use per student by 20% within 5 years
• Computers will be programmed so that when the power button is pressed the computer automatically shuts itself down
• Industrial 7 day timers will be installed on the electric domestic hot water units
• Skylights in darkened areas will be installed.

Biodiversity
• An Indonesian Garden will be developed
• Multicultural planting around a 2007 art project – a ceramic Mandala
• A Butterfly attracting garden will be planted
• A Koori Garden is planned
• A private courtyard for teachers is planned which will incorporate appropriate seating and trees
• A potted plant will be provided for each classroom

Waste
• A recycled paper photocopier will be purchased.
• A one day per week no photocopying policy will be introduced.
• A goal has been set for 80% of the school population to use rubbish free lunch boxes by 2007
• They aim for a waste reduction of 75% by 2007

Lilydale West Primary School uses the SETS (School Environment Tracking System) from Energy Doctor Pty Ltd http://www.sets.energydoctor.com.au to record electricity, gas and water usage. The graph below shows Lilydale West Primary Schools electricity consumption comparison from 2004 to 2006. The graph shows a large reduction in electricity consumption in 2006 since 2004, especially in peak usage times.

The table below illustrates the percentage reduction of greenhouse gases produced by electricity consumption at Lilydale West Primary School since they joined the Sustainable Schools Initiative in 2004.

More info.

For more information please contact Gabrielle Luscomb or Carol Watts on 9735 4670, email lilydale.west.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au or go to the Lilydale West Primary School website at http://www.lilydalewest.vic.edu.au.

Return to list of 5 Star Schools