Moorooduc Primary School
Rural/Regional: The school is located in a rural environment on the Mornington Peninsula, but draws the majority of students from a nearby housing estate.
Student numbers: 260
Themes: Core theme, Waste and Biodiversity
Key Elements: Community Links, Policy, Whole School Committment
The school has an Environmental Policy ratified by school council.
The school has a Waste Minimisation Policy ratified by school council
Partnerships: Mornington Peninsula Shire, Local Artists
" The benefits of the garden have been huge….watching the pride the children take in the garden and their sense of achievement…and how with dedication, big projects can be completed with everyone pulling in the same direction."
Janis Lambert , Teacher, Moorooduc Primary School
Summary
The school has been busy focusing on the work currently being done in their school grounds and funded through an Artists in Schools Grant of $10,000 (as part of the Biodiversity theme) in establishing a large interactive sensory garden and trail in the school. They have completed the Core theme, with the presentation of the certificate and opening the new garden on December 16th, by Education Services Minister, Jacinta Allen, MP also attended by Mornington Peninsula Shire and Leader newspaper.
The garden continues to be a focus point and is becoming more integrated into the curriculum each term. Grades 3 and 4 used the sculptural icons from the garden in their study of the Mornington Peninsula, grades 1 and 2 used it in their studies of drought and habitat. All classes continue to be involved in the ongoing planting and maintenance.
There are plans to continue planting around one of the water tanks and chook shed to create a 'biodiversity area'.
The school has an Environmental Policy ratified by school council and have identified energy as the next area they will focus on. As the school consists of over 90% demountables, this theme will be a real challenge.
Leadership
- The School received a grant from the Arts Victoria’s Artists in School Program
- Students act as hosts to other schools visiting Moorooduc Primary School
- Children have been asked to speak publicly on a number of occasions and take tours through the garden.
Economic Benefits
- A $10 000 grant has funded the development of the garden. Other local sponsors also contributed to the development of the garden.
Social benefits
Within the school community
- Whole community pulling together to achieve the garden development.
- Increased sense of pride in children as the garden was developing and especially on completion when the gardens were launched by Minster Jacinta Allen.
- Parents were involved in developing the garden.
Wider community involvement
- Raising community consciousness of the uniqueness of the Mornington peninsula.
- Recognition of aboriginal culture and tribes that once lived in the area.
Educational Benefits
- Increase knowledge of the local area by developing their biodiversity garden in the shape of the Mornington Peninsula
- Flow-on effect of the projects into the school curriculum has been strong.
Increased awareness amongst students of the need to recycle to improve sustainability.
Environmental Benefits
- Design of five recycling units where children sort rubbish
- Food scraps are recycled to chickens
- Inclusion of worm farms in classrooms.
- Bore established to provide water fro the school gardens
- School has also installed a water tank
- Garden was planted with indigenous and drought resistant species.
|
|
The opening of the Mooroduc Primary School sensory and interactive garden attracted great interest at its official launch.
|
Printer friendly version
Email to a friend
Send feedback
Contact us (email)
The Victorian Sustainable Schools pilot was developed and delivered by Gould League and CERES Community Environment Park with major funding support from the Federal Department of Environment and Heritage and additional funding provided by the Victorian Government and Philanthopric Trusts.