FPS Newsletter

Sustainability at FPS

Sustainability Matters

In term one, Fairfield Primary school was featured in the Sustainability Matters event, run by Darebin Council. For this event the Year 6 Community Leaders; Rosie F, Austin S, Harvey R, Leo D, James F and Eloise B, created a video showcasing different sustainability initiatives at FPS. Additionally, Katherine Barraclough, a parent from our Environmental and Sustainability Working Group, spoke about the sustainability projects undertaken within the school at the Sustainability Matters event. 

 

You can view both of these videos here. 

 

Sustainable Schools – Fairfield Primary School

 

Sustainable Schools – Fairfield PS – Katherine Barraclough  

These videos feature some of the changes we have made to reduce our impact on the planet.

 

Changes to Reduce our Waste

  • Changed the way we sort our waste. We have added compost, co-mingled recycling and soft plastic bins.
  • Reduced some of the packaging in our lunch orders.
  • We encourage Nude Food!
  • Zero waste school events.

 

Changes to Improve Energy Efficiency

  • In 2018 LED lights were installed throughout the school which reduced our energy consumption by 57%, saving the school approximately $3000 per year.
  • In 2019 we installed technology that automatically turns off air conditioning and lights in classrooms when they are empty. This has reduced our energy usage by about 25% in the summer months, saving about $4700 each year.
  • We installed a reflective membrane called ‘Cool Roof’ on the gym roof and installed fans to lower the temperature of the gym passively.

 

Made a Commitment to Purchase More Green Products

  • We have created a policy that guides our purchases so all levels of purchasing (from the office to the classroom) are considered. This policy can be viewed on our website.
  • We have a second-hand uniform store and have moved to a new uniform supplier (A PLUS Schoolwear) based in Coburg rather than overseas, reducing travel miles.

 

Worked to improve our Biodiversity

  • We have planted over 470 native plants.
  • We have built nesting boxes to help provide homes for wildlife – there are some possums living in the oval one right now!
  • We have involved students in a lot of these planting projects:
  • A Foundation grade planted some of the trees in our grounds.
  • A Year 1/2 class planted all the plants in our pollinator garden.
  • The 2020 grade 6 students planted a native garden upon graduating from FPS.
  • Thanks to all of the parents who have volunteered at our working bees. If you would like to be involved look out for information about our next one, which will be held on Sunday 20 June.

 

We have tried to Reduce Transport Emissions

  • We encourage families to walk, ride or scoot to school.
  • We celebrate walk to school week, encouraging families to travel to school without creating additional emissions.
  • We installed bike racks at the front of school to create a secure space for families to lock their bikes.

 

More to Celebrate!

  • We have a planned solar installation so that we produce net zero emissions by not relying on fossil fuels.
  • The water tanks on our new Wingrove Campus and gym are used to flush the toilets.

 

How to get Involved 

  • If you would like to get involved, join the Environmental and Sustainability Working Group. This group meets twice termly to discuss and action all sustainability plans.

 

Thank you to the FPS community for involving yourself in our sustainability journey! It takes more than one person to make an impact and as a community your actions, no matter how small, make a difference!

 

"We don't need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly." ~ Anne Marie Bonneau

 

~ Jourdan Murray, Year 6 Teacher and member of the ESWG