Glen Education Caulfield South
Celebrating Our Year of Growth and Sustainability
By The Glen Caulfield South Team.
As we reach the end of Term 4, we are delighted to reflect on the incredible achievements our team and community have accomplished together this year. One of our proudest milestones has been our commitment to sustainability, which has become a meaningful and embedded part of our daily curriculum, routines, and conversations.
Our Journey Toward Plastic-Free Play
One rainy morning, as the children gathered indoors, Charlotte approached and asked, “What are you doing?” I told her I was listening, to the sounds of busy children deeply engaged in meaningful conversations with one another and their educators. This moment of quiet reflection reminded us just how rich and imaginative play becomes when driven by curiosity, natural materials, and authentic interactions.
Throughout the year, our classroom has taken joyful steps toward plastic-free play. Children have immersed themselves in exploring wooden blocks, shells, wool, fabrics, and other natural, open-ended resources. Unlike plastic toys with fixed functions, natural materials invite imagination to take the lead. A wooden ring becomes a steering wheel, sticks transform into magic wands, and a handful of stones inspires an entire pretend bakery.
These simple objects offer rich sensory experiences—smooth stones, rough bark, cool wood—supporting longer concentration, deeper engagement, and truly creative thinking.
One of our major highlights was “Plastic-Free Play in July,” which celebrated our collective efforts and showcased how aware and thoughtful the children have become about caring for their environment. Over several months, we’ve watched the children’s understanding of recycling, sustainability, and Acknowledgement of Country deepen through discussions, hands-on experiences, and collaborative decision-making.
Achieving Our Curriculum Goal: A Strong Commitment to Sustainability
This year, we set a curriculum goal to strengthen children’s understanding of sustainability and embed eco-friendly practices into our everyday program. We have proudly achieved this through:
- Moving towards plastic-free play environments
- Recycling projects and repurposing materials for art
- Embedding daily discussions about waste, caring for Country, and respecting natural resources
- Empowering children to be active participants in sustainable choices, such as sorting materials and reducing waste
These experiences have supported children in developing a deeper sense of responsibility, belonging, and care for the world around them.
Innovative Practice: Community Recycling Hub
One of the most exciting innovations this year emerged from a conversation between educators, children, and families on Monday 2nd September. Together, we explored ways to extend our sustainable practices beyond the classroom and into the wider community. This led to the idea of a front-yard collection point for small, hard-to-recycle items.
Through research and collaboration, we identified several organisations that support specialised recycling:
- Officeworks – used stationery and tech accessories
- Local libraries (Bentleigh, Carnegie, Caulfield, Elsternwick) – e-waste recycling stations
- TerraCycle – oral-care items such as toothpaste tubes, toothbrushes and floss containers
- Supermarkets and local businesses – soft plastic and battery recycling
Families also supported our innovative practice by donating cardboard and reusable materials for craft, extending our commitment to creative reuse.
Engaging with Our Local Community
Our sustainability journey has opened meaningful connections with the community. This year, we have:
- Collaborated with families to collect recycling materials
- Engaged in conversations about reusing and repurposing household items
- Connected with local libraries, supermarkets, and organisations offering community-based recycling solutions
- Encouraged families to participate in at-home sustainable practices and share ideas with the group
These connections have strengthened the children’s sense of belonging and helped them understand how individual actions can contribute to a healthier planet.
Looking Ahead
We are deeply grateful to all families for your support, contributions, and enthusiasm throughout the year. Together, we have nurtured environmentally conscious, mindful learners who are developing lifelong understandings of care, responsibility, and community.
Thank you for being part of this meaningful journey. We look forward to continuing to grow, learn, and make positive change together in the coming year.