Forest Crescent PS Sustainability Focus

Forest Crescent Primary is working towards becoming a more sustainable school by embedding sustainability programs and actions within the daily running of our school. We want to be reflective about our successes and set goals for further improvement with our staff & students making a positive impact in the world in which we live environmentally, socially, culturally & economically.

If you have any queries or questions regarding the Sustainability Programme at Forest Crescent PS, please contact Mrs Tanya Smith at school on (08) 9232 3550.

Our Vision

The school community (staff, students and parents) will:

  1. develop a greater understanding of sustainability and how it encompasses environmental, social, emotional, cultural and economic issues.
  2. demonstrate a commitment to the development and implementation of sustainable practices.

Initial Startup

In 2010  Forest Crescent PS joined the Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI) with the aim of setting up processes and programs to increase its social handprint and decrease its ecological footprint.

Since 2003 the school has been a “Waterwise” school and in 2011 it received accreditation as part of the “Waste Wise” Schools program.

In 2011 we saw the establishment of year level sustainability projects which saw all students involved in a diverse range of social and environmental experiences throughout their time at our school.

Other achievements in 2011 have been the initiation of the zero-waste lunchbox challenges held twice a term, whole school participation in Harmony Day, Water Week and National Recycling Week activities, incursions from the Worm Shed, Water Corporation and Department of Environment and Conservation (Ribbons of Blue) and the establishment of several recycling projects. The school has also experienced cost benefits from the installation of a water tank and solar panels and more efficient light system through a National Solar Schools Grant in 2010-2011.

Sustainability Achievements in 2011-2013

In 2012, Forest Crescent further consolidated programs and processes which work towards increasing our social handprint and decreasing our ecological footprint, as part of the Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI).  Year level sustainability projects were maintained, providing students with a diverse range of social and environmental experiences from Kindy through to Year 7. There have been whole school participation in special events such as Good Sammy Donation Drive, National Water Week, Environment Week and National Recycling Week. 2012 saw the establishment of the student Green Team, two worm farms, environmental certificates and the use of yellow-lid recycling bins. Outside expertise has been accessed for incursions and staff development including Cleanaway,  Department of Environment and Conservation, SERCUL, Water Corporation, Good Sammy Industries and Waste Wise Schools Program. There have been whole school participation in special events such as Good Sammy Donation Drive, National Water Week, Environment Week and National Recycling Week.

2011

  • Each year level to commit to and develop a sustainability project from the AuSSI Social Handprint or Ecological Footprint.
  • Consolidation of existing sustainability projects such as Waterwise Schools Program, social programs and Transport and Air.
  • Whole school participation in selected sustainability activities such as National Water Week, Harmony Day, Good Sammy Donation Drive, Daffodil Day Stall (against cancer), Anglicare Christmas Drive, Operation Christmas Child, Walk to School Day and Cycle to School Day.
  • To set up processes for recycling projects (paper, batteries, aluminium ring pulls, mobile phones ).

2012

Continuation of 2011 programs in addition to;

  • Form a student environmental team with representation from all year levels:
    • Successfully implemented. One Green Team student for each Year 1 to 7 class. All have badges. Green Team responsibilities include: emptying paper recycling bins, worm farms, promoting events/messages in their class, attending three meetings per term, speaking at assemblies (optional).
  • Continue with existing sustainability programs:
    • Sustainability projects maintained. Some equipment and resources purchased to support.
  • Whole school incursion from Cleanaway on recycling in term 1. Year 4 classes to take on responsibility for introducing yellow lid recycling bins:
    • Cleanaway excursion organised for Year 4 classes only. They took on board the responsibility of implementing the introduction of yellow-lid recycling bins with posters on bins, monitors at recess and lunch, messages at assemblies.
  • Set up two worm farms and establish systems to operate them:
    • two worm farms operating. Run by student Green Team (Monday). Room 30 (Wednesday) and room 12 (Friday). Worm whiz produced. Used on school gardens and sold to the wider community.
  • Year level to write a short action plan for their sustainability project, indicating the expected outcomes and benefits for students.

2013

Continuation of 2011 & 2012 programs in addition to;

  • Continue with year level sustainability projects with the expectation that teachers will create an action plan which shows cross-curricula links and expected outcomes and benefits for students
  • Support the Kids Matter program and other programs related to student well being ( PATHS, Rainbows, buddy classes …)
  • Encouragement of students to report on their sustainability projects at assemblies and in the school newsletter
  • Continue to promote whole school involvement in special events (National Water Week, Harmony Day, zero-waste lunchbox challenges, National Recycling Week…) through PA messages, library and front office displays, posters, newsletters, Pencil Points, staff meetings and school website

Sustainability Achievements in 2017-2018

2017

Continuation of preceding programs in addition to;

  • Implementation of whole-school sustainability activities (worm farms, paper recycling, zero-waste lunchbox challenges…)
  • Year level sustainability projects, overseen by year level coordinators
  • Establishment of the edible garden and a worm farm in the Kindy/Preprimary area
  • Continuation of the Travelsmart program
  • Special Days/Weeks (Clean Up Australia Schools Day, Harmony Day, Recycling Week, Good Sammy Donation Drive, Water Week…), staff volunteers to coordinate
  • Sustainability committee meet twice a term
  • Students Green Team ( Years 1-6), one student per class per semester
  • Incursions and Excursions
  • Information on Professional Leaning opportunities distributed to staff, access community and government organisations that will support our action plan (Waste Wise and Waterwise school programs, SERCUL, City of Gosnells, SSI (WA), Rivers Regional Council…)
  • Distribution of information and acknowledging successes through staffroom pinup board, library displays, newsletter, Pencil Points, FCPS website and local media outlets

2018

Continuation of preceding programs in addition to;

  • Students Green Team (Years 1-6), one student per class per semester, lunchtime meetings
  • Signage at electrical switches around the school, encouraging switching off when not in use
  • Coordination with Science and HASS committees on school planning
  • Sustainability committee to meet at least once a term
  • Incursions and Excursions- organized by class teachers and/or sustainability coordinator
  • Build a habitat for native frog species-establishing a frog bog.

Sustainability Achievements in 2021-2023

In 2012, Forest Crescent further consolidated programs and processes which work towards increasing our social handprint and decreasing our ecological footprint, as part of the Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI).  Year level sustainability projects were maintained, providing students with a diverse range of social and environmental experiences from Kindy through to Year 7. There have been whole school participation in special events such as Good Sammy Donation Drive, National Water Week, Environment Week and National Recycling Week. 2012 saw the establishment of the student Green Team, two worm farms, environmental certificates and the use of yellow-lid recycling bins. Outside expertise has been accessed for incursions and staff development including Cleanaway,  Department of Environment and Conservation, SERCUL, Water Corporation, Good Sammy Industries and Waste Wise Schools Program. There have been whole school participation in special events such as Good Sammy Donation Drive, National Water Week, Environment Week and National Recycling Week.

  • Each year level to commit to and develop a sustainability  project from the AuSSI Social Handprint or Ecological Footprint.
  • Consolidation of  existing sustainability projects such as Waterwise Schools Program, social programs and Transport and Air.
  • Whole school participation in selected sustainability activities such as National Water Week, Harmony Day, Good Sammy Donation Drive, Daffodil Day Stall (against cancer), Anglicare Christmas Drive, Operation Christmas Child, Walk to School Day and Cycle to School Day.
  • To set up processes for recycling projects (paper, batteries, aluminium ring pulls, mobile phones ).