Schools
Regional Primary Students Sustainable Conference
Catholic schools helping each other on the road to Sustainability
An exciting event occurred in Sydney on the 28th of September. Students and key staff from 12 Catholic primary schools attended a Regional Primary Students Sustainable schools conference at Liverpool.
The event was the brain-child of the All Saints Primary School Principal, Rose-Marie Hoekstra who describes her journey to sustainability as a “conversion” which has left her with a passionate desire to “leave a gift for those who come after me, particularly the children” Catholic Earthcare’s document “On Holy Ground” was an important catalyst for Rose-Marie’s journey and has helped guide her work at ‘All Saints’. It was a privilege for Catholic Earthcare’s Director Jacqui Remond to give a keynote address and to witness the high level of engagement and enthusiasm that the students demonstrated about sustainability.
Each school described its own unique journey through impressive student presentations. Although there were different activities presented there are many similar elements, with the call from Catholic teaching a central driving force. Many of the schools have conducted Environmental audits involving the students and then followed these with plans and actions that involve activities with the school community which have in turn lead to the emergence of some form of a School Environmental Management Plan.
At All Saints, children are taught about the life giving gift of their environment through the curriculum and each class has its own “HERO” (Heating, Electrical, Recycling Officers) on a roster basis who helps manage and monitor the classes’ efforts towards sustainability.
The conference was judged to be an outstanding success with enthusiasm growing as the day progressed and many ideas exchanged between students, staff and other attendees. We are greatly encouraged by events such as these and the inspirational leadership that is being shown on the pathway to sustainability.
