Grahamstown PS
Grahamstown PS is a relative new school with 378 students. The staff initiated a positive environmental message for the school right from the beginning with environmental themes integrated into all curricula from day 1. The playground has a strong environmental focus contributing to many aspects of student learning with different areas used for different purposes.
The whole school generates a positive environmental vibe with the presentation of a positive school image and pride.
The school has had a SEMP in place for a number of years, which has a focus on waste, energy, water, playground areas, parental involvement and costs. There is a strong focus on curriculum when planning class projects and both staff and students have opportunities to contribute to the development of this document; students through Parliament and staff through staff meetings. The student parliament meets once per fortnight, has a minister for the Environment and has direct feedback to staff.
Some parliamentary initiatives include:
- A bird feeder to encourage native birds
- Raising money to purchase bird seed
- Planting fruit trees
- Improvement of the rainforest area
Ongoing ideas are student driven with support from teachers, the GA, P&C, parents, the community and local council.
Funding is sourced from many areas including grants and competitions. Investing in our School grants provided $20,000 for a playground and $37,000 for a COLA. Prize money is invested back into school projects and money is also raised through the collection of aluminium cans and selling DVDs of the school concert. School projects have received recognition through local Council awards and Keep Australia Beautiful Tody Towns programs.
Some school initiatives which have been integrated into curriculum and support the SEMP process include:
Big Afternoon is an annual event run for 5 weeks after school on a Tuesday afternoon and aims to encourage students to become more responsible and provide professional development. It involves students parents and teachers involvement in gardening, craft and film making activities. The community donates plants and mulch and this year a new entry garden to the school was developed.
Vegetable Garden has been established for 3 years and provides snacks for students and produce for the school canteen. A group of 20 students manage the garden at lunch time.
A Frog Pond was installed as a result of a unit of works on life cycles by Stage 3 students. It is now a lovely tranquil spot with an active pond for frogs, macroinvertebrates and even a turtle which State 3 students can enjoy as a quiet study area. Parental support was instrumental in providing rocks and plants to establish the pond and plans are in place to extend the garden.
A Bird Attracting Garden was developed on an open grass area between classrooms. The grass was removed; mounds constructed; carpet laid to suppress weeds; planted by students and a parent helper; and mulched. The Garden Club kids maintain the garden at lunchtime.
The Rainforest Garden at the bottom of the playground provides peace and tranquillity and a study site away from the active sports areas. The area is gradually being extended into the playground and there are plans in the future to also link with the adjacent council easement which runs through the local suburb.
Water Management strategies have been implemented through the installation of spring loaded bubblers and taps and rain collecting tanks used for watering the very large playground. There are plans to extend these opportunities in the future with more tanks. Dry creek beds direct water during rain events.
Paper Recycling throughout the school is managed by Stage 3 students who train the upcoming students when it is time to hand over.
The Quest Program is a student led activity program where students manage games in the playground. Stage 3 students are responsible for the running of this.
Future Plans include:
- Painted murals on the toilet block
- Upgrade of the middle quadrangle
- Development of a herb garden
- Ongoing planting of shade trees and removal of inappropriate exotic species
- Community projects such as planting the council easement
- Implementation of Service Learning through school and community projects
- A survey with Stage 3 students identified: more shade; more gardens without losing sports fields; make the school more attractive.
Challenges
Many schools have the challenge of developing programs, which then suffer at the hands of vandals. Staff at Grahamstown PS approach this is a positive way by providing students with knowledge and control through the implementation of anti bullying and responsibility programs.
People involved and acknowledgements:
Principal: Pat White
Contact Teacher: Gene Kelly
Teachers
Students
Parents
Grounds Staff
P & C
Port Stephens Council
Local Community