Module Structure

ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic is a customised program of five modules that schools complete at their own pace:

View the summary Our Program at a Glance document (PDF- 38Kb).

The Resources modules are the action components of the SEMP which is created in the Core module. This is typically where students and teachers are involved in school projects and curriculum that supports the sustainability plan of the school which is designed to explore the for, in and about the environment contexts. Typically, this involves a very rich spectrum of activities and project outcomes, focussing on Operations, Curriculum and Whole School Community Links. Refer to the ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic certification tools for guidance.

The modules have been tagged with a single descriptor for ease. However, it is very important to place the theme well within the three Education for Sustainability (EfS) outcomes i.e. for, in and about the environment. The resource module outline diagram (above) offers the overarching outcomes for each resource module but the ‘content’ is broadly covered as listed below.

Biodiversity Module: Biodiversity, School Grounds Development, Landcare

The Biodiversity module of ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic assists schools to achieve the following measurable outcomes:
- Increase habitat by 50% on or off site (locality)
- Reduce weeds by 60%

The Waste module has four main themes:
1. Conservation of land and ecology as a precious resource and natural asset.
- protection of biodiversity in local areas;
- restoring of natural and ecological systems;
- enhancing opportunities for bio-diverse ecological communities; and
- sustainable farming and land management.

2. Land and bush care
- the reduction of weeds and destructive species;
- protection of remnant bush;
- restoration of waterways;
- restoration of land;
- protection of endangered species, and ecological communities; and
- soil building.

3. Ecology and Habitat
-construction of habitat for indigenous plants and animals;
- projects inthe discovery of food webs, natural systems and eco-systems;
- rodent and pest proofing; and
- protection of plants and animals.

4. School Ground Development
The development of school grounds as:
- habitat corridors
- haven habitats for indigenous plants and animals; and
- outdoor learning spaces for students and community.

Important note: the completion of projects and programs such as Biodiversity Up Close, LandCare, CoastCare, Water Watch, Salt Watch, LandLearn and local government programs constitute major components of this module.

FREE resources to help embed biodiversity into the curriculum are available from the ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic Resources page of this website.

Energy Module: Energy Conservation, Air Quality Improvement, Greenhouse Reduction.

The Energy module of ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic assists schools to achieve the following measurable outcomes:
- Reduce energy use by 25%, aim for 250/ 400 KWh /student/yr
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80%, aim for 0.4/ 0.6 T CO² /student/yr

The Energy module has three main themes:
1. Conservation of energy.
- electricity and gas consumption reduction;
- installation/ retrofitting of reduction and efficiency devices;
- better behavioural management of energy in classrooms, staff rooms and school grounds;
- building design;
- and renewable energy infrastructure.

2. Air Quality.
- air quality monitoring;
- weather and climate monitoring;
- Ecological Footprint calculation;
- reduction of vehicle use; and
- active reduction behaviour

3. Greenhouse Reduction.
- reduction of the greenhouse emission signature of the school;
- reduction processes for homes;
- infrastructure and retrofitting;
- carbon neutral schools, and
- transport planning & strategy.

Important note: the completion of projects and programs such as Energy Busters, Travel Smart and local government programs constitute major components of this module.

FREE resources to help embed energy into the curriculum are available from the ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic Resources page of this website.

Water Module: Water Conservation, Storm Water & River Health

The Water module of ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic assists schools to achieve the following measurable outcome:
- Reduce water use by 40%, aim for 4KL /student/ year

The Water module has three main themes:
1. Conservation of water as a precious resource and natural asset.
- leak reduction;
- installation of low flow and efficiency devices; and
- better behavioural management of water in classrooms, staff rooms and school grounds.

2. Storm water quality and management.
- maintenance of storm water pipes & pits;
- capture of water for down cycling, eg. water tank to toilet system; and
- soil health and water retention (in garden beds, bio-retention and wetland systems).

3. River Health, water way protection and Coast Care.
- understanding, stewardship and management of local waterways;
- whole water cycle contexts (including coastal systems);
- aquatic (salt and fresh water) ecology and habitat;
- pollution; and
- quality control.

Important note: the completion of projects and programs such as Water Learn It Live It, Catchment Management Authority programs or Water Watch programs constitute major components of this module.

FREE resources to help embed water into the curriculum are available from the ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic Resources page of this website.

Waste Module: Waste & Litter Reduction, Green Procurement

The Waste module of ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic assists schools to achieve the following measurable outcome:
- Reduce waste to landfill by 70%, aim for 0.3m³/ student/ year

The Waste module has five main themes:
1. Reduction of resource use
- paper use;
- cardboard and packaging;
- consumables (Office, ICT and catering);
- rubbish free lunches;
- toxic materials and products; and
- use of disposable cutlery/crockery and plastics.

2. Reuse of materials
- establishment of reuse systems eg. paper, containers, ink cartridges,clothing etc;
- ICT/ technology equipment and
- school furniture

3. Recycling
- diversion of recyclable materials from land fill eg. paper, cardboard, cans,
- corks, clothing, fluorescent lamps, cartridges etc;
- ICT/technology equipment; and
- organics.

4. Green Procurement and Materials
- recycled content products;
- non toxic products;
- organic products;
- products that can be easily recycled;
- Whole of Life Cycle/ Cradle to Cradle sensitive products;
- fair trade products;
- cleaning; and
- canteen purchasing.

5. Litter control
- reduction of packaging entering school grounds;
- litter collection in school grounds and surrounds;
- bird and rodent proofing bin systems; and
- reduction of litter in waterways.

Important note: the completion of projects and programs such as the DEECD's Rubbish Free Lunch challenge, and local government programs constitute major components of this module.

FREE resources to help embed waste into the curriculum are available from the ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic Resources page of this website.

Find out more about ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic

Click on the links below to find out more about ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic:

ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic Overview Read More
Support for Schools/ Get involved  Read More
Register to Participate Read More
Certification Read More
Core Module Read More
Resources  Read More
Glossary Read More

How to get involved.

For further information or enquiries about getting involved in ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic, please contact:

Michelle Sanahon (Administration), Lorna Pettifer (Facilitator)
Sustainability Projects Group
CERES Community Environment Park
Cnr Roberts and Stewart Streets, East Brunswick Vic 3057
Phone : (03) 9380 1556 (direct) or 9387 2609 (reception)
Fax : (03) 9381 1844
Email : rssaussi@ceres.org.au, lorna@ceres.org.au

For further information or enquiries about AuSSI in your state, please contact the National AuSSI Coordinator or go to the Department of Water, Environment, Heritage and the Arts website.