A LOCAL primary school has kicked off the New Year pursuing its ongoing sustainability programs started more than a decade ago. Wooragee Primary School has received numerous awards for its sustainability and environmental education programs. The education provider joined Sustainability Victoria’s SmartSchools program in 2020 to showcase its achievements becoming a five-star school. Business manager Bec Davis involved in the school’s sustainability initiatives since 2012 said the five-star rating incorporated sustainability actions already embedded in the school’s program. Among many projects have included the Stephanie Alexander kitchen garden with students growing, harvesting and cooking meals, chicken coops, garden beds, a frog bog, nature reserve. aquaponics, composting, worm farms, bee hotels and eco brick making. Ms Davis said the location of the school has played a key role. “We're set amongst farmland, and it's a sustainable environment,” she said. School principal Angela Gray said the school’s mission and value statement is wrapped around sustainability and being environmentally friendly. Among sustainability projects planned this year is more work on frog bog to start at Easter with a $1700 Landcare grant. Another is solar panels to be installed later this year. Among other sustainability actions includes encouraging waste-free lunches to exclude throw-away packaging, taking part in environmental friendly days such as Clean Up Australia Day and Earth Day - all part of the school’s curriculum. Ms Gray said Sustainability Victoria is supportive in encouraging schools to get on board to showcase sustainability programs. “They have been great,” she said. “They send out monthly newsletters and I'm in constant contact with them.” As the new school year kicks off, Sustainability Victoria is inviting schools to make a sustainable start in Indigo Shire to join ResourceSmart Schools - an award-winning program supporting schools to embed sustainability across school facilities, curriculum and community, while reducing resource use and saving money. Each year, participating schools can enter the awards – the state’s largest celebration for primary and secondary school students, teachers and school volunteers taking remarkable sustainability action. Sustainability Victoria Regions and Community Action director Paul Murfitt said schools joining program will learn, practice and share ways to integrate sustainability across school operations through the support of an online portal and a ResourceSmart Schools facilitator. “This free program recognises and rewards schools through sustainability certification,” he said. “Stars are obtained through completion of modules and meeting benchmarks for resource use and are valid for four years. “Schools can progress from one star up to five and move towards becoming a leadership school. “The ResourceSmart Schools Awards are an opportunity to acknowledge sustainability legends, amplify success and reflect on the sheer amount of work being done by Victorian schools in sustainability.” “I encourage all schools to showcase the environmental work they’re doing, no matter how small." For more information about the ResourceSmart Schools Awards visit www.sustainability.vic.gov.au
