Sustainable schools and childcare

Sustainable Schools and Childcare Network

Council launched the Sustainable Schools and Childcare Network (SSCN) to provide support and inspire schools to incorporate environmental education within the school community. The network provides a range of educational resources for educators, students and the school/centre community. We have attracted 20 active service members who participate in network meetings and free workshop opportunities. 

The network offers free hands-on educational experiences, such as student leadership mentoring, professional development workshops and incursions/excursions to schools within the City of Canada Bay. Topics on offer range from biodiversity, Indigenous education, gardening, litter reduction, energy, water, food and fashion.

The SSCN is managed by the Sustainability Team and offers free environmental workshops, resources and two network meetings each year hosted by a school/centre on a rotating basis or run at a venue in the Council area. Meetings are open to all educators and parents of the school.

Each meeting includes:

• Guest speaker on a sustainability topic
• Announcements of free workshops and resource opportunities
• Information about sustainability resources, tools and programs available from environmental organisations.

The SSCN has assisted preschools and schools with:

• Edible and native gardens
• Native bee hives
• Rainwater tanks
• Establishing an aquaponics system
• Wildlife habitats
• Staff development
• Indigenous education
• Litter and waste reduction programs.

Professional learning accreditation for teachers

DEC teachers who attend our SSN meetings can register for two hours of accredited professional learning through their DEC portal. Council will provide a code to all the teachers prior to the meeting for registration.

Small environmental grants for schools

Each year, Council provides grant funding to support sustainability projects in schools and school communities. Grant funding is available each year in two different categories:

• Support Grant: funding up to $1,000 to expand on existing projects
• Development Grant: funding up to $3,000 for the implementation of new projects.

Applications for the 2024 Small Environmental Grants for Schools are now OPEN and close on 12 April 2024. 

Prior to applying, please review the 2024 Small Environmental Grants for Schools Guidelines.  

Click here to start a new application. 

In 2023, the following schools were successful in receiving grants for their projects:

School	Project	Amount
Abbotsford Public School	Everyone needs vegetables!	$1,569
Russell Lea Public School	Wildlife Corridor incorporating new Yarning Circle	$1,000
St Patrick's Catholic Primary School Mortlake	3D Printer - reduce waste and recycle PET products to create educational items	$3,000

More information

To join the Sustainable Schools and Childcare Network or for further enquiry, please contact Council’s Sustainability Projects Officer via email or call 9911 6555.