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Actsmart Schools program
It’s smart thinking for schools to focus on sustainability. It sets a good example, supports the environment and can lead to cost savings.
Actsmart Schools is a FREE specialised program that helps schools improve their sustainability. The ACT can be proud – all schools have signed up to this program, making us the only jurisdiction in Australia to achieve this.
Actsmart Schools supports schools to save energy, conserve water, increase recycling, protect biodiversity, cut greenhouse gas emissions and integrate sustainability into the curriculum.
This free program provides a range of support, including best practice guides, site visits and advice from specialist staff, professional learning, tools and resources. Schools are evaluated through an accreditation system and rewarded for their efforts. For more information email actsmart@act.gov.au or call Actsmart Schools Officers on 6207 6430
What's new?
Events
Term 3
- 1 - 31 August 2019: Actsmart Sustainable Transport Student competition - now open
- 2 September 2019: Actsmart Schools Awards nominations open
- 12 September 2019: Actsmart Schools network meeting - Registrations now open
Term 4
- 18 October 2019: Actsmart Schools Awards nominations close
- 22 October 2019: Junior Eco Bus Tour of Southern ACT schools - Registrations now open
- 25 October 2019: Junior Eco Bus Tour of Northern ACT schools - Registrations now open
- 20 November 2019: Awards ceremony
- 5 December 2019: Actsmart Schools network meeting - Registrations open soon
Useful Resources
- Free resources and services available to all ACT schools - Actsmart Schools Catalogue (PDF)
- National and international environment events and dates - Actsmart Schools green dates 2019 (PDF)
- Apply for grant funding for your sustainability project - Actsmart Schools green grants (PDF)
School Case Studies
- Celebrating a Five-Star School - Maribyrnong Primary
- Sustainable school grounds and habitats for biodiversity - Farrer Primary
- Saving energy at school - Hawker Primary
- Reducing waste, separating recycling and organics - Evatt Primary
- Partnerships with community environmental organisations - Lake Tuggeranong College
- Undertaking a school bin waste audit - Daramalan College
Energy
The ACT Government has a bold target to achieve carbon neutrality in public schools by 2020.
The Actsmart Schools program helps schools support the government with this target. The program provides FREE support, practical tips, tools and resources to help all schools more sustainably manage their energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Actsmart Schools Officers are available to visit your school.
Schools that adopt sustainable energy management strategies, demonstrate reductions in energy consumption and prove they are committed to saving energy, can be accredited for energy with Actsmart Schools.
For more information contact actsmart@act.gov.au or 62076430.
Waste
Did you know that up to 86 per cent of the waste a school produces can be recycled or reused? That’s a big figure.
Recent figures from comprehensive waste audits in seven primary and secondary schools in the ACT show that we need to act smart in making our schools sustainable, starting now:
- In primary schools, 16% of waste is recyclable paper and cardboard, 48% compostable organics, 22% other recyclable materials, and only 14% garbage.
- In secondary schools, 27% of waste is recyclable paper and cardboard, 29% compostable organics, 29% other recyclable materials, and only 15% garbage.
Actsmart Schools helps schools establish, improve and in some cases re-establish effective waste and recycling systems. We provide support, services and resources, including an easy-to-use best practice guide with step-by-step instructions. Want to know more or discuss your school’s waste – book a visit with the Actsmart Schools Officers.
For more information contact actsmart@act.gov.au or 62076430.
Water
Schools use a lot of water. Students drink it. Cleaners use it. Maintenance people need it for irrigation. It all adds up.
That’s why it’s important for schools to think about how they can act smart by saving water.
Actsmart Schools can help by providing support, practical tips, tools and resources to help schools with sustainable water management. Our Water Best Practice Guide has recommendations on how to reduce water consumption and prevent pollutants entering our waterways.
Schools that implement audit recommendations, adopt sustainable water management strategies, demonstrate reductions in water consumption, and prove they are committed to maintaining water quality, can be accredited under the Actsmart Schools program.
For more information, email actsmart@act.gov.au or call the Actsmart Schools Officers on 62076430.
Biodiversity
The Actsmart Schools program provides resources to help schools manage their flora, fauna, and soils, through careful landscape design. A horticulturist is available to visit and assist schools.
The aim is to protect plant and animal life, while still managing and developing school grounds.
Actsmart Schools can provide a School Grounds Best Practice Guide with step-by-step instructions on conducting a School Grounds Survey and preparing a School Grounds Action Plan.
For more information contact actsmart@act.gov.au or 62076430.
Curriculum
Educating and engaging young people in sustainability has never been more important. It empowers them to make decisions and act for a sustainable future. Sustainability is one of the three cross-curriculum priorities in the Australian Curriculum.
Actsmart Schools helps schools embed sustainability across the curriculum by providing support and resources, including an easy-to-use best practice guide with step-by-step instructions.
Curriculum is one of the five focus areas of the Actsmart Schools Program. The program supports schools to adopt sustainable practices into the management of waste, water, energy and school grounds/biodiversity. Introducing new sustainable practices provides a stimulus to introduce new teaching and learning programs.
Schools can be rewarded for their efforts by gaining Actsmart Schools accreditation for the effective delivery of sustainability education through the curriculum.
For more information email actsmart@act.gov.au or call the Actsmart Schools Officers on 62076430.
Actsmart Schools Awards 2018
Actsmart Schools celebrated its first ever awards on 20th November 2018. The awards celebrate excellence in the Actsmart Schools focus areas; waste and recycling management, efficient use of energy, actions to address water use and quality, improvements to school grounds and biodiversity, and the inclusion of sustainability within the curriculum.
The awards aim to recognise exemplary sustainability innovations and projects undertaken, and significant individual contributions made by students, teachers or school staff.
For more information please contact actsmart@act.gov.au.
Categories
Actsmart Schools Awards Categories 2018
Innovation Award - This category recognised a school that has implemented a project or innovation in 2018 which has resulted in improvements in sustainability.
Sustainability Leadership - This category recognised individuals for outstanding leadership in school sustainability by best demonstrating the spirit of the Actsmart Schools program. Nominees must show exceptional commitment to improving their school’s sustainability.
Sustainable School of the Year - This category recognised schools who have successfully improved their sustainability in 2018 through student and staff behaviour change and action. It will be awarded to a school that demonstrates excellence across the five Actsmart schools focus areas: water, waste, energy, biodiversity and school grounds, and the integration of sustainability in the curriculum.
Award Winners 2018
We're proud to announce this years winners of the 2018 Actsmart Schools Sustainability Awards. Congratulations to all of the winners and nominees.
Award winners:
Innovation Award – Fadden Primary School. As part of introducing a new recycling system the Green Team created influenced the creation of a ‘friendship club’ where students came together to collect rubbish; and the Green Market Day, an event without straws or balloons
Leadership Award Primary – Millie Cains, St Joseph’s Primary School. Millie created innovative solutions to sustainability issues. After joining the Green team, she created and led weekly bin checks, nude food reminders, Earth week and an ideas box.
Leadership Award Secondary / College – Imogen Rayner, UC Senior Secondary College Lake Ginninderra. Imogen led teams to organise Clean up Australia Day, Share the Dignity and a whole college waste audit. She also conducted a school survey to improve recycling and implement new waste management systems within her school..
Leadership Award Teacher / Staff – Alison Hicks, Arawang Primary School. Alison has led Arawang’s sustainability efforts including involvement in Ride/Walk to School, Clean-Up Australia Day, World Environment Day, Earth Hour and National Recycling Week. Alison also facilitated the student teams and has worked to embed sustainability across the school’s curriculum.
School of the Year Award – Garran Primary School. This 5 Star School continues to excel in each of the five focus areas; waste, water, energy, biodiversity/school grounds, and curriculum. Students drive initiatives through their Eco-Rangers. The entire community is involved.
Highly Commended:
Innovation Award - Farrer Primary School
Innovation Award – UC Senior Secondary College Lake Ginninderra
Leadership Award Teacher / Staff – Katheryn Elliot, Farrer Primary School
Leadership Award Teacher / Staff – Carol Quashie-Williams, Farrer Primary School
Leadership Award Secondary / College – Jack Roylance, UC Senior Secondary College Lake Ginninderra
Leadership Award Primary – Angelique Corbitt, Farrer Primary School
School of the Year Award – Aranda Primary School