Promoting ecological conversion and environmental sustainability
At Nazareth, our students and staff take an active role in being stewards of creation and 'caring for our common home’.
Inspired by Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical, Laudato Si’, our school community understands that we have to respond to the environmental challenges of the 21st century with creative and thoughtful planning, education and concrete actions that can make a difference to the health of our planet, all people and all creatures.
Our commitment to being responsible members of Planet Earth is evident in our classroom learning and teaching, the prayer and liturgical life of our school, our resource and grounds management, and whole school planning for community initiatives that contribute to the betterment of our environment and our relationships with one another.
Our Nazareth school community is involved in a range of initiatives that empower our students to support the ongoing care of creation through:
- Student Environmental Team
- Curriculum integration of environmental awareness and sustainability
- Participation in environmental action and awareness initiatives including Clean Up Australia Day, Earth Hour, World Environment Day, Tree Day and World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
- Outdoor learning spaces
- Vegetable gardens
- A waste management system that includes recycling
- Composting of organic waste through FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics)
- Waste-free Wednesdays
- Eco-friendly infrastructure in the form of water tanks
- Dedicated staff environmental leader
- Staff professional development to support student and school environmental learning and action
- Celebration of the 'World Day of Prayer of the Care of Creation' and the 'Season of Creation'
- Active members of the Wollongong Environment Network
Our school also has a School Environment Management Plan (SEMP) which identifies and plans for our key environmental actions and projects. These include:
- Curriculum integration of environmental awareness and sustainability
- Outdoor learning spaces
- Vegetable, herb and fruit gardens
- Bush tucker garden
- Eco-friendly infrastructure – including solar panels, sub-pods, LED lighting and sensor lighting
- Green ethical catering
- Staff professional development to support student and school environmental learning and action
- Physical ‘Acknowledgement of Country’ on school grounds
- Earning Environmental Education Grants to further our environmental projects
For more information, visit the CEDoW Wollongong Environment Network
