Key elements of the AuSSI in schools
Effective environmental education for sustainability is more than just a curriculum issue. The commitment to be an AuSSI school is spread throughout all aspects of the school’s operations including:
- Teaching and learning
- Resource and school grounds management
- Conserving biodiversity
- Governance
- Networks and partnerships
AuSSI schools:
- Make a whole school commitment A whole school commitment is the ideal as it is more sustainable for a whole school cultural change. Without a whole school commitment, change can only occur in isolated pockets of the school.
- Form a representative group or committee to guide the Initiative A committee, with representatives drawn from teachers, students, parents and community groups can give ownership to all sectors and a structure to ensure that the workload in the Initiative is spread over the group.
- Collect baseline data and audit the use of resources used within the school The collection of baseline data is important as it provides the key information against which future change in the Initiative can be measured. Schools can collect information on past energy use, water use, waste generation, paper use, green waste in drains, groundwater extraction etc. Opinions can also be surveyed and curriculum can be audited.
- Set goals and targets Setting goals and targets is necessary because by setting goals and targets, the school will focus on achieving measurable outcomes within the Initiative.
- Develop a School Environmental Management Plan or Sustainability Education Management Plan Developing a plan is a vital element as plans are a structured way to achieve outcomes within a given timeframe. Without action plans there is little order.
- Implement plans and actions Implementation is an essential step, without which nothing can be achieved. Lack of action can be very discouraging for staff and students.
- Build community links and partners Community links enrich a school’s programme bringing valuable resources, expertise and support, and can connect the school programme to other community initiatives. Local government, regional NRM officers and other environmental officers are excellent resources, as are parents and other family members.
- Monitor and evaluate plans Monitoring and evaluation can assist a school to measure their progress and continuously improve their plans and actions.
- Report on outcomes and achievements Capturing and reporting sustainability outcomes and achievements, i.e. social, economic/financial, environmental and educational, that have been achieved at all levels of the AuSSI are important to demonstrate progress made towards the vision of the Initiative.
See also
Key
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