Environment |
|
At Syndal South Primary School we have been fortunate to have large school grounds, which have been enhanced by years of planting and special environment projects.
Our school has successfully incorporated environmental education into the school curriculum from Prep to Grade 6.
|
Environment Book An Environment Book was created to showcase all the environmental programs we have at SSPS. Each class contributed a double page on one aspect of our school grounds. This book is displayed in the foyer of our school for all families and visitors to see. It documents our achievements and will be updated as needed. Select here to view it online. |
Animals
We have free range chickens, worm farm and four Green Tree frogs.
Wetland area
An enclosed pond which is an community project thriving with native wetland vegetation designed to attract wetland birds, insects and amphibians.
Greenhouse and Tanks
The greenhouse is used by students to propagate vegetable and native plant seedlings for the school grounds. A water tank with solar powered pump, and capillary feed watering system support the greenhouse system. We use two other large 10,000 litre tanks that collect rainwater to help establish native plants.
|
Weekly Garden Club The student Garden Club cares for the garden by planting, maintaining, and harvesting the vegetable patch. A group of students interested in gardening from Prep to Year six work together each week. Children eat the produce that they grow. Garden Club also helps to maintain the school grounds and are busy working on the living quilt at the front of the school for 2007. |
|
Japanese Garden
The Japanese Garden is planted with native plants, this area displays colourful mosaic tile murals depicting the school gardens and playgrounds.
The Waverley Federation Circuit
This is a one kilometre track around the perimeter of our school which meanders through our extensive native gardens. It has plaques erected every 100 metres to commemorate important events for each decade of Federation.
Mini beast Garden
In 2006 we further enhanced our school grounds by adding a Mini beast garden. Through research the children identified the plants that would suit the area and designed a garden including decorative mosaics to attract insects.
Achievements and Awards
The projects we undertake reflect our ongoing commitment to environmental education and to the importance of establishing, maintaining and promoting sustainable environmental practices in the community. Our aim is to continue to educate ourselves and also to demonstrate to our school community how to “Think Global, Act Local” and make it a fulfilling part of our everyday lives.
We have fostered a strong parent community at our school by involving both parents and students in many of our programs. One such activity is the fortnightly maintenance of our school grounds. Parents are rostered to assist with the general maintenance of our wonderful school grounds. Such working bees have proven to be social events with whole families attending.
As a result of our school community’s commitment to environmental education and to the importance of establishing, maintaining and promoting sustainable environmental practices in the school, we have gained recognition within the wider community. Our successes include:
2007
- Environment Book made by entire school, all classes contributed to showcase our achievements.
- Three new chooks arrived: Simone (red) Nature (red) and Pecker (white).
- Four Green Tree frogs called Houdini, Hip Hop, Kirranna and Kaeru.
- Vegetable seeds and native seeds collection, propagation and planting.
- Living Quilt developing at entrance of school.
- In response to water restrictions collection tubs are located under all drinking taps to collect water runoff. This is used to water natives by grade 5/6 monitors.
- Weekly Garden Club (group of all students who help to maintain the vegetable garden and school grounds).
2006
- Establishment of Mini Beast garden.
- Finalist in Savewater! award.
- State winner of the 2006 Victorian Schools’ Gardens Award.
- Winner of the Eastern Metropolitan Region Schools’ Gardens Award.
- Finalist in the Keep Australia Sustainable Cities, community award- put forward from Monash Council.
- Winner Innovation and Excellence Sustainability and Waste Wise Awards.
- Finalist Schools’ Sustainability Award.
- Finalist in the Waste Wise School of the Year Primary Metropolitan.
- Installation of Greenhouses (2). Has a solar powered pump attached to a water tank and a capillary feed system.
2005
- Sustainability and Waste Wise Creative Arts Award.
- Winner of the City of Monash World Environment Day- Community Leadership Individual Award- teacher Sheryl Ecker.
- Winner of the Savewater! Award, Education category.
- Nestle Community Environment grant, to establish horticulture centre to propagate indigenous plants.
- Fenced and secured Compost Corner, housing worm farms and compost bins.
2004
- Modification of Wetlands to maintain Wetlands during the dry periods to maintain aquatic life.
- Separate garbage and compost bins.
- Creation of Japanese Garden, to complement our Japanese language program. Large Mosaics designed by the children.
- Accredited as a Sustainable School.
- Accredited as a Waste Wise School.
- Appointment of two student Environment Captains.