MLMC has now been awarded and recognised as a three-star sustainable school through Sustainability Victoria’s Resource SmartSchools program. At the time of writing this article our suburb experienced a large power outage and I was forced to complete this using candle light — possibly taking sustainability too far.
The Resource SmartSchools program aims to assist us in integrating sustainability into the planning and strategic processes of the College. It also helps to develop ways to improve resource management, embedding sustainability practices into the school operations, teaching, learning and community engagement.
The College’s first star was awarded for our core module. This module is designed to ensure the College has the policies and procedures that will embed sustainability into its curriculum across all year levels and that it educates staff and students on minimising the use of water, energy and waste. To assist the College in achieving this, a School Environmental Management Plan has been developed, which outlines these goals and sets targets for College sustainability. To be recognised as a Resource SmartSchool, the College was required to submit baseline data regarding College water, waste and energy consumption. This data ensures the College can record continuous improvement in its attempts to reduce resource use, make cost savings, integrate sustainability into the curriculum and celebrate achievements with the wider College community.
This week the College was awarded another two stars for Energy and Biodiversity. These stars are not easily achieved and credit must be given to the wider College community for its efforts in leading the learning and education of students in the way the College can be more energy efficient and protective of its biodiversity habitat in and around the College.
The second star relates to actively engaging the community on sustainability issues and opportunities. The College has been active in fostering partnerships within the local and extended communities. These have included grants from Melbourne Water, thanks to the assistance of teacher Mr Paul Morgan, and for the sustained efforts of teacher Mr David Banfield in securing funds from Landcare Victoria to further establish the College’s frog pond (pictured). This site acts as a vital refuge in the survival of our endemic Banjo frogs.
Yarra Ranges Shire has also been an active partner with the College in land and vegetation rehabilitation works. These activities have been supported with the assistance of students from VCAL, VET and Agriculture. Staff members Mr Steve Tarulli (2019 VCAL Leader) and Mr Tim Thompson (Agriculture teacher and McAuley Park Farm Manager) have actively assisted with a number of major revegetation programs within our local area (pictured).
Science Faculty Learning Leader Mrs Urszula Faulkner has been instrumental in working with Science students as they took part in the Melbourne Water River Detectives Program (pictured). Data the students collect each year from nearby Olinda Creek is supplied to and utilised by Melbourne Water in its research into the health of our local river systems.
The third star relates to a focus on strategic planning to integrate education for sustainability into campus, curriculum and community. This is where students become actively engaged in designing and constructing a systems approach to how the College uses resources. The installation of the 100kWh solar panel system (pictured) has made a large impact on reducing the College’s energy consumption along with simple projects like turning off lights and heating when classrooms are not being used and the installation of energy efficient LED light bulbs and curriculum content covering renewable energy and greenhouse issues. Water saving features have been installed in most areas of the College, which has assisted in reducing utility costs.
To achieve our three-star status, is truly a whole school undertaking, with many successful outcomes. MLMC has worked diligently to achieve these exceptional results and this is in no small measure due to the efforts and guidance of staff member Mrs Cathy Pote. The College is currently working toward realising a five-star rating as part of the Resource SmartSchools initiative. You can read more about Resource SmartSchools HERE.
