Sustainabilty Brain Ability

 

see this link for photos http://www.vuvox.com/my_vox/show/03c0cab836

 

The Community Of Schools on The Park (COSOTP) which includes; Waterfall, Heathcote East, Engadine, Heathcote, Yarrawarra, Engadine West and Marton Public Schools and Engadine and Heathcote High Schools, held an Environmental Sustainability Camp for first time and it was terrific! This initiative was developed through the COSOTP Environmental Sustainability Team that meets regularly in developing a combined schools' Environmental Management Plan (SEMP) and share and develop sustainability initiatives across their community of schools.

 

Terry Spratt Principal Marton P.S. facilitated the Sustainability Camp as a key SEMP strategy. Terry was inspired to create this engaging quality learning experience. Environmental sustainability initiatives engage students in significant learning tasks that promote higher order thinking skills and promote global citizenship, a key quality criteria for all learning communities. By integrating leadership roles for high school students and building teams across schools we have successfully created a true learning community which is working together for not only achieving higher order student learning outcomes but ensuring ongoing success on a global scale.

 

The COSOTP team effort was evident in the fund raising COSOTP BBQ that collected $1200 in funds to subsidise costs in implementing the Sustainability Camp. A great deal of planning and effective communication was required to coordinate the Sustainability Camp across schools but teamwork and a strong desire to achieve great results for public school students drove the team to success.

 

51 Year 4 students across the Community Of Schools Across The Park participated in outstanding workshops led by Year 9 and 10 students from their local High Schools, Heathcote H.S. and Engadine H.S. The high school students developed and led workshops in global warming, recycling, sustainable gardening, photography, environmental art, composting and herb gardening. The high school students had wonderful preparation supported by fabulous training from teachers Julie Gallan & Jan Rasorsek from the Royal National Park Environmental Education Centre and Greg Moon and Melanie Lever, their high school teachers. The high school students had developed power point presentations and practical tasks to create quality learning experiences for their younger peers which included environmental problem solving tasks, and practical tasks such as creating a worm farm and herb garden. They were supported by 15 Stage 3 environmental and technology leaders from Engadine West P.S. and Marton P.S.

 

Supervising teachers; Sue, Furner, Natasha Trevitt, Jenny Morgan, Vanessa Gurney and Ross Edwards were very proud of the engagement level of students, their rapid ability to form working partnerships and their sharing of deep knowledge through discussion in environmental sustainability education. Ross said, "Here we have collaboratively developed and participated in a two day overnight program that develops student skills in ICT, Aboriginal perspectives and environmental sustainability teaching strategies across the quality teaching framework. The Stanwell Tops Conference Centre was an outstanding, comfortable venue, even the food was exceptional. All my colleagues and our students are inspired to lead further sustainability strategies across our schools. This is one of my career memories that I will hold dear."

 

There was some great feedback from parents and students which includes:

"Thank you for giving up your time for our daughter to have such a wonderful time at camp. Our daughter has come home absolutely buzzing about sustainability and the environment. Your program was obviously highly engaging. Please pass on a big thank you to your team."

"Dad, we need to start composting and can I have a worm farm please."

 

A follow up day will be held at Marton Public School with local artists providing tutorials for students developing skills in art and an even greater appreciation for their local environment. Students will also share the initiatives that they are implementing at their schools and offer support and ideas to promote environmental sustainability success.

 

Plans are already underway to implement the Sustainability Camp program again next year and share the development of this quality learning experience further across schools through a sharing video conference on June 8th hosted by Jan Rasorsek & Julie Gallan from the Royal National Park Environmental Centre.