GOING green goes gold as St Benedict’s Catholic School, Shaw, is presented with the 2019 Townsville Catholic Education Sustainability Award.
The award recognised the contribution of schools to sustainable practices in curriculum, school grounds, management of resources and community involvement.
Townsville Catholic Education director of learning and teaching Peter Stower said St Benedict’s demonstrated a strong focus on environmental issues, and sustainable practices were their top priority.
“The yearly award draws nominations from many schools across the diocese who showcase their initiatives to save our precious natural resources and improve education about the environment,” he said.
St Benedict’s environmental management plan focuses on the areas of facilities and grounds; energy; water; waste; learning and teaching; school and community partnerships; and Care for Creation.
Some of the school’s eProjects and environmental projects include a fruit and vegetable garden, recycling centre, worm farm, compost bin, chicken coop and fish and frog pond.
Sustainability practices were embedded into the curriculum at St Benedict’s with the eProjects being implemented from a student-centred approach.
“The difference of our environmental focus is about it being a whole-school approach,” principal Penny Collin said.
“It’s not an extra-curricular activity, or a special club, it’s something that every student and every teacher is involved in.
“Our eProjects are engaging for our students and provide them with learning experiences that are meaningful to them.”
A special mention was given to St Joseph’s Catholic School, The Strand, and Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, Ingham, who both won the Encouragement Award for the sustainability practices implemented in their schools.
