Sustainable Schools Grants
School Infrastructure NSW’s Sustainable Schools Grants invite all NSW public schools and preschools to apply for funding up to $15,000 to deliver hands-on, sustainability-focused projects that link to the NSW curriculum.
The grants are part of a 4-year, $10 million program that gives schools the opportunity to develop innovative hands-on projects that help students learn about environmentally sustainable practices and take real steps to enhance the sustainability of their school environment.
Projects may include, but are not limited to initiatives to improve:
- biodiversity and connect students to nature
- energy, water and waste efficiency
- environmental education, behavioural change and capacity building.
Previous Sustainable Schools Grants projects
Erskine Park High School
Mt Ousley Public School
Pop-up market garden stalls, worm farming workshops and beehive keeping were just some of the activities Mt Ousley Public School students embarked upon when they tapped into local community expertise and resources.
When Wollongong City Council officers ran composting and worm farming workshops for schools, the students at Mt Ousley were inspired to produce videos, presentations and signage to educate their entire school community about waste initiatives.
Their composting system now diverts about 8.5 kg of waste from landfill each day and fertilises their garden beds.
A parent beekeeper educated students about the importance of bees and how bees make honey, and the school has since purchased a native beehive.
A local community expert was engaged to work with the children to educate, design, and construct 6 'no dig' garden beds. The gardens now provide vegetables and herbs to students and the community. One of the major highlights for students was "cooking produce from our garden with our parents".
Students have gained an in-depth understanding of the sustainable benefits of 'paddock to plate' and taken this idea one step further by using a pop-up market stall concept to allow the community to purchase produce harvested from the school's garden.
Staff have also benefited from teacher professional learning and advice from local visiting professionals. This has increased their confidence and willingness to use and contribute to the ‘food forest’.
"We've enjoyed watching the excitement, achievements, failures, curiosity and pride the students have gained from their involvement. Their general wellbeing has improved, and they are engaged in their learning," one staff member said.
The school's top tip to other schools interested in implementing a Sustainable Schools Grants project is the importance of forming a committee and getting buy-in from school staff, according to project lead Sally Anderson. “It became easier to run the program when more staff became involved,” she said.
