Environmental Initiatives

Mission of the Environmental Team

Environmental Initiatives at St Therese’s reflect the directive of Pope Francis that we are stewards of the earth and that “The earth is an environment to be safeguarded – a garden to be cultivated” (Laudato Si 2015).

Responsibility for the environment at St Therese’s

All staff, students and visitors are responsible for the ongoing care of the environment at school. The Environment Team work together to decide where and how we can reduce, reuse and recycle.

Membership of St Therese’s Environmental Team

Consist of our school community led by Students from Year 6 and the Primary Coordinator in charge of the Environmental Team. It is important to note that The Environmental Team is actively inclusive making it possible for all students to make important contributions to the team’s work. St Therese’s School is registered with Catholic Earth Care Australia: an ecological agency established by The Australian Bishops to promote actions that reflects knowledge of the sacredness of creation and the need to protect and preserve the earth for present and future generations. Recycling of food, paper and soft plastics are just some of the student led projects that reflect this knowledge.

Activities that safeguard and cultivate the environment.

  • Composting – Food Project
  • The School Garden
  • Recycling
    • Paper
    • Hard and soft plastics recycling
    • Food waste
  • Keeping the school tidy
  • Awarding of the Environmental Warrior WinBin

The environmental team aims to coordinate its activities in a manner that fits with our understanding of biological ecosystems. By operating a school garden that enjoys the compost generated from leftover foods the school is able to grow produce that can be sold, given away or taken home. However, food scraps from students produce more waste than the garden can use and excess compost material is supplied to a local market garden where produce is returned to the community.

Activities supporting a clean and green school also include a range of recycling projects that serve to keep the school tidy, reduce general waste and reduce the environmental impact of the school’s activities.

The Environmental Warrior WinBin is awarded to a grade each week in recognition of whose area, within the school, is kept most free of rubbish and mess.

Other environmental activities at the school

Solar panels in the new infant classrooms

The production of electricity is primarily achieved by burning coal which adds to global warming. The installation of solar panels on the infant classrooms will reduce demand on electricity infrastructure, help to reduce carbon emissions and reduce electricity costs at the school. The savings generated from these solar cells can then be used to fund future environmental projects.