What AuSSI is about | What is the AuSSI ACT? | Get Involved | Newsletter | Pilot 2006 | Case Studies | What's On 2009 | Student's Spot | Useful Websites

 

What AuSSI is about?

The Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (AuSSI) is a partnership of the Australian Government, the States and Territories that supports schools to work towards a sustainable future.

The AuSSI is a whole-of-school approach, to improve the school's management of resources and facilities including energy, waste, water, biodiversity, landscape design, products and materials. It also addresses educational, social and economic issues associated with the sustainable management of a school and the school community.

There are 144 schools in the ACT and 105 of these have registered as an AuSSI ACT school. These schools have committed to becoming more sustainable and are working with their whole school community to reduce their 'ecological footprint'.

This means that these schools have commited to:

1. Establishing a leadership team for 'Educating for Sustainability'
2. Ensuring a whole school approach to implementing the initiative
3. Assisting contractors to conduct water, waste and energy audits
4. Engaging in professional development for staff linking sustainable schools to the new ACT curriculum framework
5. Working together to develop a School Environmental Management Plan (SEMP).
6. Sharing information and supporting other schools

    

What is the AuSSI ACT?

 AuSSI ACT is managed by the ACT Department of the Environment, Climate Change, Energy and Water (DECCEW) in partnership with

• ACT Department of Education and Training
• Catholic Education Office
• Australian Independent Schools Association

A Sustainable Schools Coordinator works closely with schools to encourage a whole school approach, set measurable social, educational, environmental and economic outcomes and develop a school environmental management plan (SEMP). Partnerships have been developed with several organisations to deliver the initiative.

For more information on partnerships that have been developed go to our Partnerships page.

How to get involved in the AuSSI ACT

If you are interested in your school becoming a sustainable school then please call Vanessa Whelan on 6207 5812 or email vanessal.whelan@act.gov.au

Schools will be supported to develop a School Environmental Management Plan based on audits and investigations of what is already happening in each school. A School Environmental Management Plan will provide schools with an achievable framework in which to manage waste, water and energy more sustainably.

Schools involved in the AuSSI ACT will be provided with the following:

1. support and training to develop a School Environmental Management Plan
2. support to conduct water, waste and/or energy audits
3. professional development for staff linking sustainable schools to the new ACT curriculum
4. access to support programs for staff and students.

AuSSI ACT Newsletter

Check out this spot each term to find out what is happening around ACT Schools that are involved with AuSSI ACT.

AuSSI ACT Newsletter April 2007

AuSSI ACT Newsletter October 2007

AuSSI ACT Newsletter June 2008

AuSSI ACT Newsletter September 2008

 

Case Studies

St Francis Xavier College

Bonython Primary School

Hawker Primary School

Florey Primary School

Ainslie Baker Gardens Preschool

O'Connor Cooperative School

Future Friendly Fete

Evatt Primary School Parent Green Team

 

2009 Earth Hour AuSSI School Competition

 

AuSSI School Earth Hour - Congratulations and thank you to all of the AuSSI ACT schools who celebrated school Earth Hour on Friday 27th March , 2009.

AuSSI Earth Hour Competition

Congratulations to the winner of the overall Earth Hour Competition.  The names of the winning entries will be announced soon!

The winning entry becomes a 2010 Canberra Earth Hour Ambassador and wins $1,000 for their school.

Categories (individual entries only)

Primary students   Write an Earth Hour poem and win $100, and a day at the

                              at the Canberra Times with the Editor-in-Chief             

Y7-9                      Create an Earth Hour e-card and win $100 and mentoring from   

                              the Managing Director of Zoo Group, one of Canberra's leading      

                              design, advertising and internet houses.

Y10-12                  Take a photo that conveys the message of Earth Hour and win $100

                              and mentoring from the Owner/Manager of Hot Shots Photography

                              2nd and 3rd prizes will be awarded for each category.

 

Student's Spot

This spot is for students!

We would like to hear from students from any schools who have been involved in the AUSSI ACT or are getting involved!

If you or your class have any great ideas, photos, powerpoints or projects that you have done or are doing and you would like to share it with other students, please email vanessal.whelan@act.gov.au

Useful Websites

www.environment.act.gov.au

www.environment.gov.au