Following in Their Footsteps

Being sustainable isn't a new initiative that has taken hold. In the past the school has provided a sustainable level of education to the Poowong community for over 50 years with generations of families attending in this time. During its existence various staff have engaged students in educational activities that are engaging and relevant to the lives of the students.

The community is further supported by allowing community members to use the school facilities outside of school hours. The Community Access Technology Centre (CAT Centre) is available for use by community groups and the 'Shed' a multi-purpose indoor sporting facility is also available for use.

Students that attend our school benefit from the picturesque grounds which are bordered by many large Cypress trees and other vegetation that is practical and aesthetically appealing.

The school has participated in various activities and programs of an environmental nature however it is clear that the main driving force behind the schools involvement in such activities is an opportunity to celebrate and express our pride in the environment in which we share.

In 2010 the school created a short film and won the Screen It Copetition. Screen It is a national film, animation and game making competition for school-aged students held by the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI). The short film One World was developed by the students as a rising concern about climate change. The song which was the basis for the film has been considered to be a protest song however it was intended to raise awareness of the impact that everyone has on the world. The wining entry can be viewed here. 

In 2011 the school developed a whole school sustainability theme which was a term long program involving all staff and students. Each class was challenged by the newly created Green Team to investigate an area of sustainability and report back their findings and recommendations for the school at the end of the term. On a fortnightly basis the whole school would come together to report on their progress and to participate in environmental and sustainability activities.

As part of the school's humanities program for the senior classes, students participated Dairy Australia program in which students investigated the sustainability practices of dairy farmers. As a result the students developed and created an interactive board game on a canvas. This was their entry into the Picasso Cow competition. The Picasso Cow competition has been run across Victoria over several years. The school first participated in the competition previously when they investigated the health benefits of dairy food and presented their findings through the creation of Moowong a painted fiberglass cow.


2012 provided an opportunity to investigate and participate in the AuSSivic Resource Smart Program and worked with Lisa Benn to establish some goals which included completing the Core Module program by the middle of 2013. During this time the school subscribed to the SETS data monitoring and tracking system and have been collecting baseline data to allow the school to identify ways to reduce its carbon footprint.

The school was also involved in a community program that linked the school it's indigenous community. John Murray a Koorie Engagement Support Officer worked with the school to develop an outside learning centre. The project involved past and present students in creating a visible link to the traditional land owners of the area by developing an area in the school grounds where individuals or groups can use for educational and social activities. The focus point of this area is a stone which was sourced within the shire and was relocated to the school after a traditional smoking ceremony. Once completed the school held an opening ceremony inviting community members and community groups to celebrate the connections that the project represents. More information about the project can fe found here.