Each year, the Marine Education Society of Australasia (MESA) runs Seaweek to promote educational issues of relevance to the marine environment and provides a range of resources. The theme this year for Seaweek is ‘Marine Debris – Clean it Up!’  Here’s more resources for bayside Councils (and inland ones too as their waterways lead to the bay).
MESA provides:

• Background information on their website about marine debris – types, sources, locations, environmental impacts;
• Suggest ways we can reduce the amount of marine debris;
• Provide activities for students related to marine debris.

http://www.mesa.edu.au/seaweek2012/default.asp

Entries close:  Friday 9 March 2012
Finalists announced:  Monday March 19 2012
Winner announced:  Monday March 26 2012

Note: Schools must be participating in the 2012 Clean Up Day to be eligible for the award. Schools can be registered for 2012 Schools Clean Up Day by calling 1800 282 329 or visiting www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au

Visit http://sustainability.ceres.org.au/SETS

For information on SETS, visit: http://www.schoolenergysavings.com.au/sets/

Congratulations to Aitken College in Greenvale who took out this year’s ResourceSmart School of the Year Award.

A total of 94 entries were received for this year’s awards an increase of 29 percent on last year.

Congratulations to all the winners and special thanks to every school community that entered this year for your significant achievements across the various categories!

ResourceSmart School of the Year
Aitken College

Waste Smart School of the Year – Primary
Epping Views Primary School

Waste Smart School of the Year – Secondary
McClelland College

Biodiversity Smart School of the Year – Primary
Manchester Primary School

Biodiversity Smart School of the Year – Secondary
Melbourne Girls’ College

Water Smart School of the Year – Primary
St Macartan’s Parish Primary School

Water Smart School of the Year – Secondary
Aitken College

Energy Smart School of the Year – Primary
Point Cook College P-9

Energy Smart School of the Year – Secondary
(Joint winners) Aitken College and Melbourne Girls’ College

Community and Partnerships Smart School of the Year – Primary
Huntly Primary School

Community and Partnerships Smart School of the Year – Secondary
Melbourne Girls’ College

Click here to download the brochure  about ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic 5Star.

The 5th Star is called ‘Leadership’ and is given to schools who:

• Maintained the ResourceSmart Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI Vic) Core Module requirements (ie. sustainability policy, curriculum, community involvement, transport and biodiversity audits, strategic environment management plan).
• Achieved certification standard in all ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic Resource Modules: Biodiversity, Energy, Waste and Water.
• Met or exceeded and maintains the benchmark for all Resource Modules (see the top of each certification tool for the benchmarks required).
• Completed all the practices listed in the Certification Tools for all the Resource Modules.
• An integrated environmental school strategic plan, delivering ResourceSmart practices and curriculum.
• Demonstrated student, staff and parent leadership and communication that engages the whole school community in its culture of sustainability.
• Actively mentored other schools about sustainability through presentations, network meetings and providing ongoing support.
• Provided documented evidence of community engagement.
• Provided case study material for loading onto relevant website/s.
• Continued to use the Schools Environment Tracking System (SETS) and regularly uploads new data to track progress and report results regularly to the school community.

CERES recommends schools keep an archive of all the amazing things they do for sustainability eg. newsletter articles, photos, curriculum activities, presentations to others, student actions, assemblies, school events, ‘green’; fetes, community partnerships, grant applications, competitions entered, newspaper articles and other media exposure.

GREEN PURCHASING EXPO

When: Wed October 19th, 4:00pm – 5:30pm
Where: East Bentleigh PS (Bignell Road, East Bentleigh)
What: Sustainability Victoria, CERES and GrUBS in Glen Eira teacher network invite you to a very special Green Purchasing Expo 2011. The Expo is designed for school administrators, teachers, school leaders, canteen operators and anyone else who’s interested in using more environmentally friendly products.

GETTING SAVVY WITH SETS

When: Thurs October 20th, 4:00 – 6:00pm
Where: Manningham City Council (699 Doncaster Rd, Doncaster)
What:  This workshop is designed for schools currently using the School Environment Tracking System (SETS) and those looking to start using the system. ResourceSmart schools (past and present) are invited to attend this PD session which focuses on the ‘ins and outs’ of SETS. Participants will learn how to input data and use the ‘Reports’ section. Different levels of SETS understanding will be catered for. This workshop is funded by Sustainability Victoria and supported by Manningham Council. To register, please contact Michelle at michelle@ceres.org.au or contact (03) 9389 0133.

RESOURCESMART AUSSI VIC CORE INTENSIVE

Where and When:
Tues October 18th at St. Augustine’s College (Church St, Kyabram)
Mon October 24th at St. Mary’s PS (43 O’Donnell Ave, Myrtleford)
Tues October 25th at St. Joseph’s PS (Wedge St, Benalla)

Time: 9:00AM – 3:30PM

What: ResourceSmart Roadshows aim to support staff from our schools to review and complete tasks that will assist them to maintain the Sustainability push in their school. The two main focuses are to review the school plan (SEMP) and to review and complete SETS data for your school. Developing strategies for combating rising energy bills in our schools will be a major focus. Facilitators will assist staff to identify areas of the school operations that can be audited to ensure that savings in energy and dollars are made and wastage avoided. This is a very practical day where staff have access to key facilitators in small group situations. Much can be achieved for your school on this day. Contact Paul Dullard at pdullard@ceosand.catholic.edu.au to register.

LET’S GET CERTIFIED

When: Thurs October 27th at CERES Environment Park (Corner Roberts and Stewart Streets, Brunswick East)
When: 9:30am – 3:30pm
What: Do you feel like time is ticking away and you may run out of time to complete your ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic module? Do you need that little bit of assistance to get you over the line? If so, then this may be the workshop for you!! Come along to our ‘Let’s Get Certified’ workshop and we’ll help you get ticking off on your certification tool. We’ll ensure that your school is certified by the end of the year! This workshop is funded by Sustainability Victoria and is open to schools working through any of the 5 modules. Morning tea and lunch will be provided. To register, please contact Michelle at michelle@ceres.org.au or contact (03) 9389 0133.

With invaluable feedback and input from partners such as CERES, we are constantly developing this fantastic resource.  In November we will be adding more functionality and further streamlining the user process.  Some of the upcoming enhancements are:

1. Streamlined Data Entry

One of the features most praised by our current SETS users is the ease with which base line data (energy use, paper use, vehicle emissions etc.) can be entered into our software.  In November, we are proud to be releasing an updated interface that will make it EVEN EASIER to enter your base line data into the SETS system.

1. An Update to the Downloadable Report

Once a schools base-line data is entered into SETS, users can download an informative, easy to follow report.  This report is great for presenting your schools Eco-credentials to staff, students and parents.  Soon this report will include a new section which allows SETS users to make comparisons between their school and other schools in their area.  This comparison tool will assist in building emissions targets and set goals for energy reduction.

If you have any additional suggestions you would like to see in the School Environment Tracking System (SETS) please contact us with your ideas.  We would love to hear from you!

How does a Swap Party work?

Check out our ‘Swap Party Guide’ video, featuring Melissa Doyle, co-host of Sunrise on Seven and Big Aussie Swap ambassador. At a Swap Party you bring along good quality items you no longer want. Exchange each for a token. Then exchange the token for items brought by others.

It’s fun, free and has a strong, positive environmental benefit. By diverting items from landfill, and avoiding buying something new, you save water, resources and reduce emissions.

Host your own Swap

Why not be part of the Big Aussie Swap and organise your own Swap with your school, class or playgroup? Our step-by-step guide makes it easy to host your own Swap Party. The Swap Party Guide, Rules, Invitation templates and Swap Tokens can be downloaded below. Register your school or class here.

When: November 7th-13th
More Info: http://recyclingweek.planetark.org/kids-teachers/schoolswap.cfm

The conference will include many workshops and presentations, including ”A beginners guide to reducing waste in schools” workshop presented by CERES & Leibler Yavneh College.  Another workshop titled “Climate Change Leaders” is being presented by longtime friends and clients of SchoolEnergySavings.com.au and CarbonetiX – Brimbank Secondary College.

For a full list of workshops and to signup visit: www.tln.org.au/greenschools

For free assistance with your grant application see our FREE NSSP Assistance Package

Overview

The National Solar Schools Program (NSSP) is helping Australian schools take practical action to tackle climate change by offering eligible schools the opportunity to compete for grant funding to install solar power systems, rainwater tanks and a range of renewable energy and energy efficiency measures. Schools are able to improve their energy and water efficiency as well as reduce their ongoing energy costs. In particular, for schools with a mains power supply, surplus electricity generated by solar power systems on weekends and during school holidays may be able to be sold back to the electricity grid for extra electricity and greenhouse savings.

Objectives

The objectives of the National Solar Schools Program are to:

• allow schools to:
  • generate their own electricity from renewable sources
  • improve their energy efficiency and reduce their energy consumption
  • adapt to climate change by making use of rainwater collected from school roofs
  • provide educational benefits for school students and their communities
• support the growth of the renewable energy industry.

Funding available

Schools planning to install a minimum 2 kilowatt (kW) solar power system may apply for a grant of up to $50,000 (GST exclusive) for the installation of eligible items.

Schools planning to install less than 2kW or no solar power system may apply for a grant of up to $30,000 (GST exclusive) for the installation of eligible items.

Schools applying for funding from 1 July 2011 that have been approved to receive funding for solar power systems under any other Australian Government program since the National Solar Schools Program commenced on 1 July 2008 may apply for a grant of up to $15,000 for the installation of eligible items.

Schools that have received Green Vouchers for Schools funding will have this amount deducted from their National Solar Schools Program grant.

Part 3: ‘How we determine your eligibility and funding’ sets out in detail how your school’s maximum funding amount is determined. 

The applicant

Non-government schools are eligible for a grant under the National Solar Schools Program if they are in receipt of Australian Government Grants for Recurrent Expenditure under the Schools Assistance Act 2008.

Government schools are eligible for a grant under the National Solar Schools Program if they are officially recognised by their state or territory government education authority as a school providing primary and/or secondary education.

Educational institutions that are not eligible for a grant include, but are not limited to, kindergartens, early childhood centres, preschools, TAFE colleges and universities.

The project

National Solar Schools Program grants are available for the installation of a range of renewable energy generation, water and energy efficiency measures, including:

• solar power systems
• rainwater tanks
• small wind turbines
• small hydro power generators
• solar hot water systems
• energy efficient lighting
• ceiling fans
• door and window draught seals
• sensors, timers and thermostats
• automatic door closers and automatic sliding doors
• double glazing
• skylights
• shade awnings.

Assessment

National Solar Schools Program applications will be assessed against three criteria – value for money, environmental benefit and educational benefit.

A merit-based, competitive, assessment process will be used to determine which applications best meet these criteria and will be offered funding. Schools will need to provide information in their applications that demonstrates how they meet each of the three assessment criteria:

• For value for money, schools will need to have obtained competitive pricing for the measures they propose to install with their National Solar Schools Program grant. One way to ensure that your school gets value for money for its project is to obtain several quotes.
• For environmental benefit, the assessment process will consider the size of the solar power system to be installed with the grant funding, and the level of solar radiation available in the school’s geographic area. Applications that include rainwater tanks will be scored on how much water can be harvested. The environmental benefit of energy efficiency items will be assessed using a range of methods. The application will be more competitive if the school has recently undertaken an energy efficiency audit.
• For educational benefit, applications will be more competitive where they strongly demonstrate how the proposed measures will assist students to improve their understanding of climate change and renewable energy. This would include linkages with relevant elements of the school curriculum. Schools that are registered with the Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI) would be well placed to meet this criterion, although this is not essential.

All eligible applications submitted in a funding round will be assessed against these criteria. Additionally, to allow funding to be directed to schools in most need, applications from schools located in remote or low socio-economic areas will receive additional weighting.

Program duration

The National Solar Schools Program commenced on 1 July 2008 and continues until 30 June 2013. Schools lodging an application in the 2012-13 funding round must finalise their works and reporting requirements by 30 June 2013.

The 2011-12 National Solar Schools Program application round will close on 30 September 2011.