Sustainability

St Thomas is a 5-Star Resourcesmart Sustainability Victoria school. The four areas of the Resourcesmart module- Biodiversity, Water, Energy and Waste, are overseen and managed by different areas of the school.

Biodiversity

The Foundation area oversees the Biodiversity module of the Resourcesmart schools in conjunction with their Year 5/6 buddies. At St Thomas we believe that, first and foremost, a love for our school’s natural environment and native habitat is instilled, starting with the foundation students’ first year at school. The Biodiversity module is introduced mainly in conjunction with the curriculum in this area. Trees and plants are planted on National Tree day and in individual Snack Shack gardens. Clean ups occur in Snack Shack areas and Adopted Areas. 

Water

The Year 1 and Year 2 area are responsible for signage around the school to help reduce water waste. In first term they partake in lessons based on the waterways around the school, including the school’s tanks and Frog Creek. This helps to instil love and curiosity so that children understand where their rubbish goes if they don’t dispose of it properly.

Waste

The Year 3/4 students oversee all components of the waste module, including collecting Visy bins fortnightly and the City of Greater Geelong rubbish bins each Thursday afternoon. They also deliver and collect the chook and sheep buckets where food scraps go. 

Energy

The Year 5/6 students oversee the energy component of the Resourcesmart Program. They are responsible for signage to remind people to turn off lights and monitor  energy usage in areas such as the computer lab. The students utilise their understandings when completing research tasks linked to their unit designing a sustainable house and other curriculum areas. They also present updates about sustainable energy practices at school assemblies.