1. How did you first get started with environmental education?

I had a group of three children that wanted to weed the gardens and look after the existing unused worm farm. We had four brooms and a couple of shovels in an old shed which the principal said that we could use. From there we contacted the Monash Education Officer and he got me interested in all of the wonderful things that could branch off from starting an environment club. I then entered the waste Wise Schools Program and it all built on from there.

2. What have been the biggest highlights of your journey so far?

The biggest highlights are the change in the school culture and all of the achievements that the school and the children have made along the way….environmental sustainability is no longer an added extra. It is imbedded in our school culture.

3. What has been the biggest obstacle? How did you/are you overcoming it?

Staff compliance is the biggest obstacle. We overcome it through education and celebration. We imbed environmental sustainability practices into our school policies (ratified by council) and make participation compulsory. We constantly educate through PD and we celebrate our achievements and successes and reward the staff for their involvement. It is an ongoing process as staffing is always changing and as new people come in the process starts again. PERSISTENCE is the key.

4. What future plans or goals are you excited about?

We are excited to become a 5 STAR school. We look forward to being part of the Grand Alliance of schools and mentoring other schools through their journeys.

5. What advice would you offer to someone wanting to begin a sustainability program at their school or organisation?

Get in contact with a Mentor School if possible. Register your interest and accept the wonderful help that CERES will provide. BE PERSISTENT and BREATHE!