Sustainability at FHS

SUSTAINABILITY AT FRANKSTON HIGH SCHOOL

At the heart of Frankston High School’s sustainability efforts is the understanding that students face a dire future without it.  

Therefore, sustainability is taken seriously at Frankston High School.  There are a number of initiatives taking place across the school, from sensors in classrooms that turn off lights and ceiling fans automatically, through to responsible procurement.  Sustainability is something Frankston High School is always endeavouring to develop and improve, with any feedback for future development welcomed from members of the Frankston High School community. 

Removal of single-use plastic 

Frankston High School is endeavouring to remove single-use plastic from the school over the course of 2021.  Single-use plastic is any type of plastic that is only used once and is then discarded.  This includes cling wrap, chip packets, chocolate wrappers and plastic bags amongst many other products.  Why? Current studies are suggesting that each human, on average, is ingesting one credit card’s worth of plastic weekly.  Studies are also indicating that plastic use is increasing globally (with no sign of slowing), and that by 2050 there is likely to be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans.  We hope this is enough reason for the school community to make a start on decreasing their use of single-use plastic.  We hope parents can speak with their child or children, and make better choices about the packaging they use for lunches which is by far one of the biggest single-use plastic problems across the school.

The Eco Team

Frankston High School is home to The Eco Team.  Not to be confused with environmental ‘hippies’.  The Eco Team are a bunch of students primarily concerned with the science behind climate change, and the anthropogenic pollution impacting the environmental resources we all depend on as a human species.

The primary focus of the Eco Team has been to fight against ignorance and apathy.  To keep environmental conversations going, to offer tips on how to be a more responsible Earth based caretaker, and to seek out important stories and share them with the Frankston High school community.

In 2020 The Eco Team focused much of their efforts in creating content for their YouTube channel.  The channel includes environmental tips, news stories, campaigns and interviews. Interviewees included the likes of Costa Georgiadis, Tim Costello AO, and Sammy J amongst others. Click HERE to have a look!

New and current students are welcome to apply to join The Eco Team if they have a passion for the environment and would like to meet and work with like-minded individuals from all year levels.

It is worth noting that students of Frankston High School face significant challenges in the very near future. Environmental degradation is increasing and everything in our lives relies upon the natural environment. It makes no sense for humans to continue the way they are.  Take time out to reflect on what you could be doing more of to ensure you decrease your impact on the Earth’s systems. If we all behave this way, then students will have far less to worry about!

For any inquiries about sustainability at Frankston High School, including membership in The Eco Team, please email Mr Brendan McKinnon at bmckinnon@fhs.vic.edu.au