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Observatory Hill Environmental Education Centre

Observatory Hill Environmental Education Centre

Leading environmental education to empower learners for a sustainable future.

Telephone02 9247 7321

Emailobservhill-e.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Eco Schools Australia Training

Course code

NR04758 (5 hours of Non Registered professional learning) 

Course details

Eco-Schools Australia - a platform for whole school student environmental leadership

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to support your school’s sustainability journey, enhance your student’s environmental leadership, and be part of a global network of schools working towards improving their ecological footprint? Teachers are invited to attend a one day, NESA Non Registered, professional learning course, that will increase their confidence to act as facilitators of a whole-school, student-led, environmental program. The DoE endorsed Eco-Schools Australia program is a structured step-by-step program that will help you to better support your school’s sustainability journey. 

Participants will

  • Discuss present structures and features of Eco-Schools Australia, including the 7 Step process towards obtaining the three award levels, Bronze, Silver and Green Flag.
  • Conduct an ‘eco-snapshot’ in a real school environment, addressing four areas: energy, waste, water and biodiversity.
  • Discuss and share practical strategies to maximise whole school engagement and success.
  • Examine strategies for using school eco-snapshot data to facilitate students through the process of developing an action plan in line with the Eco-Schools Australia framework. 

Next scheduled course

Date: Friday 14th October

Time: 8.30 - 3.30

Location Summer Hill PS, Moonbie St, Summer Hill, NSW, 2130. Off street parking is available and the school is a short walk from Summer Hill railway station or the Lewisham West light rail station.

Cost

$40 - Includes morning tea and lunch 

Contact:

Glen Halliday 

Ph 92477321 or 0400 230 699

Glen.Halliday@det.nsw.edu.au

Register via MyPL on: https://myplsso.education.nsw.gov.au/q/NRG04758

Download the Eco Schools Course Flyer (Word Doc 196KB)

Follow-up Resources:

Energy

1. SCOUT - How to find energy data in SCOUT.

2. Ausgrid Webgraphs

The National Solar School (NSSP) Program funded PV installations at 760 DEC schools over the financial years from 2008/9 to 2012/13. All NSSP funded PV installations were accompanied with a Data Collection, Storage and Visualisation System (DCSVS) of the electricity generated (green power) by the PV installation. In NSW the data from the DCSVS was transmitted to Ausgrid that displayed graphical and tabulated data using Webgraphs. Schools can monitor their solar power generation through logging into the Webgraphs portal.

If your school was one of the original 760 schools, you can still access the report.

Username - 4 digit school code

Password - Welcome01 (unless changed by your school)

3. Energy appliance audit excell spreadsheet  or

Energy cost calculator 

Add the Appliance Audit Excell Spreadsheet to school ipads (in numbers) for a more technological option. This spreadsheet calculates how much energy is used by each appliance over the year and its cost. 

Water

Sydney Water Education website Sydney Water

Grant Oyston's Water and Stormwater Presentation

Waste

How to conduct a Waste Audit

Presentation on how to do a waste audit.

General

Sustainability Benchmarks

Eco Snapshoot booklet

Eco Schools - Summer Hill PS Presentation 

DOE Sustainability Curriculum Support 
Sustainable Schools  To help you stay in touch with sustainable schools, sign up to the Sustainable Schools NSW newsletter. Its available twice a term and has lots of great information. 

Sustainble Schools Grants

These grants are part of a 4 year, $10m program giving 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.

This is the final round of the Sustainable Schools Grants program and is your school’s last chance to apply for funding of up to $15,000.

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

Register your interest to receive application details

Step 1:

  • Check if your school has already received a Sustainable Schools Grant. Schools are only eligible to receive one Sustainable Schools Grant.

Step 2:

  • Register your interest via our online form to leave your school details by 31 October 2022.
  • You will be given application instructions and resources.

Step 3:

  • Submit your application between 7 November and 25 November 2022.

Successful applications will be announced on 6 February 2023.

More information about the SSG is available online including program guidelines, project ideas, case studies and frequently asked questions. 

Digital technologies for outdoor learning

Digital Technologies for K-6 Science (Thanks to Jill Bell – Royal National Park EEC).