Sustainability Group

The Emerald Secondary College Sustainability Group is an important group within the College.  The group is made up students across all year levels and it includes staff representation. 

The group aims to promote and encourage sustainable practices within the College, as well as involve itself in other environmental issues within the local and wider community.

The group has already completed a number of important projects:

• Been successful in our application for funding through the Community Water Grants Scheme, with funding used for water tanks, new toilet systems and other water saving measures.
• Participated in the Saving Water Efficiency Program and we stand to make significant savings financially and in water use.
• Started to revamp our horticultural centre with plans to introduce more worm farms and work closely with the surrounding primary schools on this project.
• Participated in a community workshop and forum where sustainability issues were discussed.
• Added signage to our light switches in an attempt to save on electricity.
• Planted a large number of native plants within the school grounds.
• Set up a working relationship with community groups and local schools.
• Promoted Sustainability competitions for our students to participate.
• Held a fundraiser where we have raised funds for our group to purchase more native plants.
• Participated in a recent Working Bee where sustainability issues were considered.
• Strengthened our paper recycling program.

The group is looking to get even further involved in Sustainability issues.  We are looking at how the Performing Arts Centre Development can be a highly sustainable venture, the inclusion of solar power within the school, the development of a wetlands area, a proper energy audit of our school in terms of our energy use, better ways of minimising paper waste, making even stronger links with our local primary schools and community organisations, ensuring that the redevelopment of our oval uses drought tolerant grass, ensuring sustainability is a strong part of our curriculum and continuing to apply for funding for Sustainable projects for the school.

Student members have done a fantastic job this year and they are to be congratulated for their efforts.  Well done!  The group is a really important part of the wider school program at Emerald Secondary College.  We look forward to 2008, a year in which the College can try and become even more Sustainable!