SCHOOLS

Creating an environmentally friendly school is fun way for students and teachers to learn about the environment and improve their school at the same time.

Our Local Schools 

Auburn City Council is committed to promoting environmental sustainability by providing educational resources and opportunities for schools in our area.  We help develop environmental programs and activities for students, teachers and the general community.

Sustainable Schools NSW

Sustainable Schools NSW is a NSW Government program designed  to use the school and local environment as a place to develop sustainability knowledge, skills, values and behaviours in students and the community. 

Examples of environmental educational resources within Sustainable Schools NSW include fun, practical and relevant ways of learning and working together include:

• Web2Spider a monitoring toolkit designed by the Australian Museum that allows teachers and students to perform scientific surveys on spider diversity in their local environment. The toolkit is designed for students in Years 3-10.
• Water Education Toolkit featuring over 650 education resources to support primary and secondary teachers and students understand key water concepts.

For more information, please visit the Sustainable Schools NSW website.

Programs and Education Resources  

• Air watch - A comprehensive program for secondary students aimed to provide the knowledge and skills to understand air quality, how it affects our lives, and what action we can take to improve it.
• Active for Air - A program for primary school students designed to improve both their health and the quality of the air around them.
• Composting - Composting is a natural and inexpensive way to reduce waste and generate nutrient rich fertile compost.
• CSIRO On Borrowed Time - An online biodiversity education package by ecologist David Lindenmayer. The resource has four inquiry-based teaching about Adaptation, fires, forest and farming. Also learn about Eco Farming and Eco Forest a decision-making interactive which allow students to reflect, consider and make decisions relating to Australia's biodiversity.
• CSIRO Carbon Kids - This program combines the latest in environmental science with education in sustainability through a range of resources for both primary and secondary school communities to better understand climate.
• DECCW Down to Earth - A manual which introduces waste-saving techniques with case studies and step-by-step guides to setting up a compost heap, worm farm and a no-dig garden.
• Natural Cleaning - Natural cleaning or 'green cleaning' is a way to clean with fewer cleaning products and using safer alternatives - producing less waste and reducing the need for harmful chemicals.
• Worm farming - Worm farming is also a great way to divert food waste from landfill. Worm castings are great for feeding plants, adding to seedling mixes and potting soils or top-dressing.

School Environmental Management Plans

All schools in NSW are required under the NSW Department of Education to develop their own School Environmental Management Plan (SEMP).

Available Grants and Rebates

Useful Links