sustainable schools

Stuart Park : 

Stuart Park

Objectives : 

Objectives develop a shared understanding around sustainability and sustainable schools - a whole school approach reflect on the opportunities this presents student learning outcomes Stuart Park School Community

Sustainability : 

Sustainability Many definitions…… CARE for oneself for each other (across cultures, distances and generations) for the environment (near and far) How do we improve our quality of life without storing up problems for the future, or impacting unfairly on other people’s lives?

Models of interdependence : 

Models of interdependence Economy Society/Culture Environment

Sustainability - Key Concepts : 

Sustainability - Key Concepts Interdependence – of all systems Systems thinking – environmental economic and social systems Futures thinking – intergenerational responsibility Active citizenship – personal and collective action

Slide 6: 

‘Future generations will require both the capacity and commitment to successfully negotiate and develop socially just, ethical and sustainable futures.’

NTCF links : 

NTCF links EsseNTial Learnings eg.Constructive 4 SOSE Science Technology and Design Health Cross curricula perspectives - Literacy, Numeracy, Indigenous, Environment, Studies of Asia

NTCF - how? : 

NTCF - how? EsseNTial Learnings /LT- investigating, collaborating, reflecting, evaluating, decision making and taking action Literacy - assists in the organising, recording, describing and reporting of our investigations, ideas and findings Numeracy -provides a structure in which to gather, process and interpret data and present information SOSE - helps students identify the relationships between the human and natural environments and allows them to explore and describe them Science - gives a framework for investigations, to test hypotheses and provides information about the physical processes of our world

NTCF - how? : 

NTCF - how? Technology - helps us implement solutions using appropriate technology or to design, test and develop new technologies The Arts - provides multi-modal ways of communicating our environmental issues and solutions PE/Health -awareness of and commitment to positive personal and environmental health are interlinked in our society LOTE - to be inclusive of values when understanding our attitudes to the environment and be understanding of the contribution our whole society can make

‘Education for Sustainability is a combination of content, learning methods and outcomes that helps students develop a knowledge base about the environment, the economy, and society, in addition to helping them learn skills, perspectives, and values that guide and motivate them to seek sustainable livelihoods, participate in a democratic society, and live in a sustainable manner ‘(McMillan and Higgs, 2003). : 

‘Education for Sustainability is a combination of content, learning methods and outcomes that helps students develop a knowledge base about the environment, the economy, and society, in addition to helping them learn skills, perspectives, and values that guide and motivate them to seek sustainable livelihoods, participate in a democratic society, and live in a sustainable manner ‘(McMillan and Higgs, 2003).

A Sustainable School : 

A Sustainable School incorporates environmental action and sustainable practices into all aspects of the school learning decision making resource management

Slide 12: 

Learning Decision Making Resource Management School Culture A Whole School Approach Community Links

The school as a model of sustainability practices : 

The school as a model of sustainability practices School values Caring - for self, others and environment Respect - for self, others, present and future generations, environment, difference and diversity Responsibility - our actions show that we care and take responsibility for each other and our environment School policy School strategic plan - an ongoing process of monitoring and improvement The way we do things

Resource Management : 

Resource Management Waste Energy Water Healthy local ecosystems

Learning : 

Learning What we do we teach? Does it reflect our students sustainability concerns? What community links can be strengthened? How might we use sustainability as a lens for a unit of work? How do we teach? Do students have the opportunity to investigate issues, explore different perspectives, solve problems, vision, make decisions and take action? Do we know what a sustainable school would mean to our students? How might students explore the values of caring, respect and responsibility?

Slide 16: 

Decision Making

Online Resources : 

Online Resources http://www.espace.ntschools.net Sustainable Schools Schools Energy Blitz Rubbish Free Lunch

Key Questions to consider : 

Key Questions to consider How can we become a more sustainable school community? How can we incorporate sustainability into our whole school curriculum? What existing practices, values and priorities can we build on?