By Danielle Galvin
Plastered on the walls of the toilets at Monbulk Primary School are the words “there’s no limit to what you can do”.
On another door, another inspirational quote reads “don’t let the world change your smile”.
There’s stars, flowers, and an eclectic mix of colours, paintings and designs – all from the students at the school.
But there’s a change in the waters.
Author and former high school teacher Dannielle Miller said school toilets are either tragic places “gross or covered in graffiti” or simply sterile facilities.
Ms Miller, who is also CEO of Enlighten Education, read about a child in despair in a school toilet and it got her thinking.
“I thought about all of the kids I had seen over the years who I had found in the toilets having a little cry or being comforted by their friends and I thought why do we accept school toilets are just foul? It’s almost a given,” she explained.
“They are not foul in offices, they’re not foul in shopping centres, and if they are, it’s unacceptable.”
In her research, she discovered just how serious the problem is.
Poor sanitation or below average conditions can put children off drinking water, in an effort to avoid using the toilet, and lead to them being dehydrated and lacking concentration.
And while many children use toilets as their go to place when they need a moment or feel overwhelmed, they are often greeted with an out of date or run down facility, rather than an uplifting one.
“i just thought we need to rethink this,” she said.
“I wanted students to rethink school toilets because then everything they learn is transferrable.
“My ultimate goal is to teach students how does environment set my mood.”
That’s where the idea for the ‘School Toilet Project’ came from, a way to reimagine bathroom facilities.
Ms Miller said she started the conversation and now it’s up to schools to take it up.
She said the most important thing to do is for schools to involve students in it – the design and overall beautification process.
“[Students] are creating a little refuge for themselves that isn’t just functional that also impacts on their sense of connection and they are going to feel valued in their own school community and it’s good that they have a voice,” she said.
In one example, a mum of a preschooler contacted Ms Miller to tell her about why her daughter was refusing school.
She discovered it was because her young daughter was terrified to go to the toilet – the light bulb had blown and it was dark, and there were creepy crawlies in there.
It would have been a simple fix, and yet it was having a detrimental impact on the young girl’s leaning and enjoyment.
The story is much the same at primary and high schools.
“No adult goes into that environment and when we don’t see it, we don’t value it and it’s not good enough,” she said.
Monbulk Primary School Year 5 and 6 teacher Ruby Russell said there were plans to beautify the senior and junior school toilet blocks, as well as the staff toilets.
She said they weren’t neglected, but were simply sterile and functional.
“After some research and being part of ‘Champions for School Toilet Transformation’ Facebook group, it really highlighted the importance of having an inspiring toilet space for students,” she said.
“I personally believe toilets should be a priority as often students, especially in older years, will go to the toilet if they are in need of a breather.
“If they are going to a space that is plain and boring vs. a space that is uplifting and positive, it will help with their mindset.”
Passionate about student wellbeing, Miss Russell said in her view it’s critical each and every student feels safe and happy in a school environment.
While prioritising resources in a public school is difficult, the project has been supported by the local Bendigo Bank branch which provided a grant to the school.
Miss Russell had read about the project all over Australia and was instantly intrigued.
After pitching it to her students, she knew she was onto something special.
“I teach 5/6 and my class are super excited about the toilet project. Lots of the students want colour, quotes, affirmations, and jokes,” she said.
“So far there have been lots of rainbows, suns and even some sustainability focused drawings.”
“The feedback so far from the kids and staff has been fantastic.”
