Sustainability
Year 10 Environmental Science Coal Mine Adventure
On Thursday, 23rd October, the Year 10 Environmental Science students went on an electrifying (but definitely not renewable) excursion to the Wonthaggi State Coal Mine. After weeks of learning about renewable and non-renewable energy sources, the students finally got to experience what life was like deep underground — and spoiler alert: it’s dark, dusty, and not a great place for anyone with claustrophobia.
Their tour guide, the legendary Steve, kept everyone captivated with tales of what mining life was like over 40 years ago. From his stories, students discovered that miners back then were tougher than Wi-Fi on a school network.
The group also got to see — and touch — real chunks of coal still embedded in rock. Some lucky (and slightly overexcited) students managed to pocket a few crumbling bits of “ancient carbon” as souvenirs. They now proudly own a piece of Earth that’s millions of years old — though we strongly advise against using it to fire up the next weekend barbecue.
A massive shoutout to Mr Barry for bravely driving the crew to and from the mine.
Overall, it was an unforgettable experience that brought the classroom lessons to life — quite literally underground.
Mr Charles Tran
Environmental Science Teacher
Green Team Celebrates Five - Star Sustainability Achievement
The Green Team was officially awarded their Five-Star Certificate, serving both as a symbol of their remarkable efforts and as a continued reminder of their responsibility to lead by example in sustainability education and practice.
The certificate presentation was a momentous occasion, attended by several distinguished guests who have supported the school's sustainability journey. Among them were Mayor Paul Klisaris from the City of Monash, Chris and April from Sustainable Monash, and Ashlee Lambton from Resource Smart Schools. Their presence highlighted the importance of community and partnership in achieving long-term environmental goals.
During the ceremony, the guests joined the Green Team for a special meeting alongside Mr. Ballagh, where they reflected on the team’s achievements and discussed future initiatives to keep the momentum going.
This recognition is a testament to the Green Team’s hard work, perseverance, and inspiring leadership in creating a greener, more sustainable future for the entire school community.
Well Done Green Team.
The Green Team has been doing an outstanding job!
They’ve been hard at work cleaning, restoring, and planting a variety of Australian native plants and vegetables. The team also repaired the water tank, which now allows us to use sustainable water sources for our garden. New soil and mulch have been added—not only to support healthy growth, but also to keep the area safe and welcoming for everyone.
In addition to their hands-on work, the Green Team has begun educating students about important environmental initiatives. They’ve been raising awareness about the Container Deposit Scheme, proper recycling practices, and water conservation.
Eye-catching posters created by the team have been placed around the school, reminding everyone to act sustainably and dispose of waste responsibly.
Fantastic work, Green Team! Your efforts are making a real difference. 🌱👏
The brand-new Green Team Information Posters now displayed around the school—in offices, hallways, locker bays, and classrooms!
These vibrant posters are part of our ongoing effort to promote environmental responsibility by encouraging everyone to properly sort and dispose of their waste—especially recyclables.
Please take a moment to remember to throw away rubbish in the correct bins, at home, at work or even when going out. If each of us does our part, we can create a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable school environment.
Secondly, our school has a Container Deposit Scheme, if you have bottles and cans and want to make a contribution to the school, please take your recycle bottles and cans to your nearest CDS centre. Brentwood Secondary College’s Donation Partner ID is C2000010797. Our Green Team will be collecting cans and bottles at the school on Wednesday lunch time, students can make their deposit there.
Let’s work together to make a difference—one piece of rubbish at a time!
– The Green Team
Green Team Meet every Friday at Lunch Time in M04
If you’re passionate about changing the world and making a difference, now’s the perfect time to join the Green Team.
We meet every Friday lunchtime in M04.
Together, we can work toward a more sustainable and eco-friendly future.
Brentwood embraces Container Deposit Scheme (CDS)
We are excited to share that Brentwood is registered as one of the donation partners on the Victoria's Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) now. Please consider donating to Brentwood by selecting Brentwood as your donation partner on the CDS VIC East App as per the attached instructions.
