Sustainability

Our journey towards sustainability…

At Outdoor School, our aim is to empower all students to develop beliefs, values, attitudes and behaviours that will lead to sustainable living. We believe that this is possible due to our unique location in the beautiful Victorian Ovens and King region, our engaging teaching and curriculum as well through the students living and learning in a residential outdoor setting.

We demonstrate our commitment to striving towards a sustainable community as well as reducing our carbon footprint, by including environmental sustainability as a major component of our schools vision and strategic planning. We have achieved our 5 star rating in the Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative (Resource Smart AussiVic).

At 15 Mile Creek we are a part of the Red Group – soft plastic recycling program. Things such as plastic bags, food wraps, chip packets etc are recycled to make a wide variety of products such as outdoor furniture, seating signs, bollards, decking etc. At 15 Mile Creek we have specific bins where these plastics are collected and then taken away to be recycled. At 15 Mile Creek we have recycled plastic decking which enables students to see the final product.

At 15 Mile Creek we use tank water for everyday use. As we rely on rain for our water usage (drinking, showers etc) water conservation is important to 15 Mile Creek. Students are encouraged and educated on ways to reduce water consumption. It is our aim that these water saving messages are taken home and back to their own communities. We also have bore water for garden use and water treatment septic system which is then used for irrigation around the campus.

View the Outdoor School Strategic Environment Management Plan.

School Board Sustainability Policy

The Outdoor School Board sustainability policy formally adopts a way of thinking and a process that helps us work towards our vision of ’empowering people to develop beliefs, values, attitudes and behaviours that lead to sustainable living.

Outdoor School is a state government school committed to excellence, quality and leadership in all of its activities. We strive to lead through an innovative approach to research, education and a commitment to social justice, human rights and a sustainable environment.

The School Board leads innovation and practice toward a sustainable environment by:

• Complying with all relevant environmental legislation and adhering to agreements and standards at local, national and international levels.
• Setting, communicating, and reviewing meaningful environmental objectives and targets for all aspects of Outdoor School.
• Conserving natural resources, minimising waste and to continue to reduce our ecological footprint as well as the prevention of adverse environmental and social impacts;
• Incorporating environmental sustainability principles, awareness and understanding into teaching, decision making and community engagement; and
• Integrating principles of ecologically sustainable development across the whole school.