School Programs

 

Sustainability Program

Our school has adopted a whole-school approach to sustainability. Students learn about sustainability through an integrated curriculum which includes topics such as water, biodiversity, conservation, recycling and energy. We are currently working towards being a 5 star Australian Sustainable School through Resource Smart Victoria.

Students from Grades 1 to 6 make up our 'Green Team', a group of students active in creating and maintaining sustainability projects.

Our school is contributes to a healthier planet through the use of:
- an undergroundwater tank which we use to flush our toilets and water our garden.
- a rain garden to filter the water from our rooves to the Yarra River.
- a compost system to reduce our waste.
- a vegetable garden so students can learn about planting and eating sustainably.
- a frog bog which provides a habitat for local frogs.
- a system which audits our energy, water and waste.
- buckets under our bubbler taps to water our garden.
- whole-school environment days such as World Environment Day, Earth Hour, Walk to School Day, Rubbish Free Lunch Day and Clean Up Schools Day.

• In 2007, we hosted the Millennium Kids Sustainability Roadshow which was a two day youth conference, involving 5 local schools and focusing on environment projects.
• We are a founding member of the City of Stonnington 's Green Schools Network
• The Age wrote an article about our sustainability program. It can be found by clicking here.
• Our school participated in the Human Sign on St Kilda Beach, for more information click here.

"Take In, Take Home Waste Program"

As part of our effort to reduce our waste and encourage our school community to think about the amount of packaging they throw out, Toorak Primary School is trialling a “Take In, Take Home” waste program.

From June 5th, if students or staff bring food packaging to school they must take it home with them.

This program is part of our participation in the Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative. It also aligns with our Sustainability Policy that states, “To continue the development of a Waste Wise ethic within the whole school community; to provide and maintain a healthy and aesthetically pleasing learning environment through the reduction of waste and litter; to practise waste wise principles of reduce, reuse and recycle; to reduce the cost of waste and litter management”.

Teachers will given something to put over their classroom bin during eating times to remind students to put the rubbish in their bag. At play times, compost bins will be available in the yard for students to dispose of their compost waste. All other waste will be put back in their lunchbox and placed in the tub outside their classroom door.

Handy hints on how to make your food, nude:
> Put your child’s snack and lunch in a Tupperware container.
> We recommend you label all your child’s Tupperware in case it gets lost.
> If you wish to wrap your child’s sandwich, use a tea-towel or some cloth.
> Buy a lunchbox with compartments, they are available at department stores.
> Buy 4MyEarth sandwich and snack wraps http://www.4myearth.com.au
> Think about foods that have natural packaging like bananas and nuts.

Thank you for your support and helping us to create a sustainable future.