Mount Evelyn Primary School teacher Trish Rathmell with ELFs Finn Smith, Brie-Anna Fisher, Erin Draper, Tayeishya Mommers, Rickeylee Brown, Jae MacDonald, Emily Haitas, Hayley Cardamone, Clare Cromie and Keely Preston. 78495
By Emma Sun
MOUNT Evelyn Primary School recently became one of the most environmentally friendly schools in Victoria.
It achieved its five star certification through its achievements in saving water, reducing waste and energy and promoting biodiversity, making it the first in the Yarra Ranges.
Last year, compared to 2010, the school managed to reduce its water usage by about 150 kilolitres from 800 kilolitres to 550, waste by about 25 cubic metres from just over 100 to about 75 and recycled waste from 40 cubic metres to about 35.
Co-ordinator Trish Rathmell said being sustainable was an important part of the school and the 50 ELFs, or Environmental Leaders of the Future, lead the school towards learning about the different ways of being environmentally friendly.
“Our ELFs show other kids how to keep green and how to do it at home,” she said.
“Sustainability and the environment is part of their school curriculum and many of the kids transfer the knowledge they learn in class to their homes.
“The kids are very passionate and I hope the ELFs that have left are getting the message to their high schools as well.”
Grade 2 student Matilda, who became an ELF last year, said she loved the water saving aspect of the program.
Some initiatives taken by the whole school included the planting of thousands of trees and native plants in the school, maintaining the school’s vegie patches and learning about the benefits of tank water, which has had a huge impact on the kids.
“The kids have become very aware, they’re quite happy to participate in events such as Clean Up Australia day,” Ms Rathmell said.
“I think the penny has dropped that it is not just about learning in schools, it’s about saving the planet and it’ll be part of their lives in the future.
“It doesn’t stop at school, they’ll have to reduce and recycle and have a lesser impact on the environment.”
School principal Phil Comport said the students also did many projects about the rain garden. “Our rain garden collects about two thirds of the storm water, which is used for irrigation,” he said.
“It saves water from overflowing onto the creek.”
Mount Evelyn Primary School joins 11 other schools in Victoria and 42 schools in Australia in the ResourceSmart Australian Sustainabile Schools Initiative.
Sustainability Victoria CEO Stan Krpan said more than 700 schools currently participated in the program.
“It is a great motivator for teachers, students and parents to build sustainability into every aspect of school and community life,” he said. “Everyone who takes part should be proud of their efforts, especially the 12 schools who have now achieved 5Star Certification.”
The Victorian Government has allocated $8.3 million in funding towards expanding the program, which will allow for 400 more schools to participate, and support the existing schools.
