Sustainable Schools

Environment and Sustainability Incursions: Beyond the Bin

For Prep through to Grade 4

Runs throughout the year

"We had just started a Conservation unit in Inquiry Learning and this was a fabulous introduction for our students. The mixture of learning, activities and movement were perfectly targeted to this age group. The presenters were kind and informative, encouraging students to think and take control of resources used in school. The lovely bonus for the students was being able to take a magnet home, to continue using the information learnt, beyond the incursion, and into their everyday lives."
Teacher, Altona College – 2023

We offer council-funded incursions to local primary schools right throughout the year. These curriculum-aligned incursions are designed to be easy for teachers and schools to accommodate, and this is a free service so all local schools can participate. Most importantly, it’s a really fun, feel-good way to engage kids and families in recycling and building connections to our local environment!

• Linked to the Victorian curriculum (technology and society, science, geography)
• No extra work for teachers
• Tailored to suit year level
• Fun, interactive and educational
• Encourage family conversations about waste, recycling and the environment 
• Promotion for local schools 

Click here for more information(PDF, 2MB) and visit this link to book an incursion online.

Schools Environment Program

For Grade 3 through to Grade 6

This program features three workshops focusing on biodiversity, waste and litter and environmental action planning around climate change. Half day workshops are available for years 3 to 6, one group per school of up to 60 children can attend per term with this program, which takes place at both Newport Lakes or Truganina Park. Travel to the reserve is included in this free program.

Schools and children from other levels are also encouraged to actively participate in hands on activities in our conservation reserves. These may also include participation in National Tree Day and Clean Up Australia Day.

To find out more please contact sustainability@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

The Food Education and Sustainability Training Program (FEAST) is a 10 week classroom ready program tackling one of Australia's biggest challenges - food waste. Respected food rescue charity OzHarvest created this program to inspire students to eat healthy, waste less and become community change-makers. The program aligns with the Australian curriculum outcomes and the cross-curriculum priority of Sustainability. Participating schools will receive all the tools necessary to teach low-waste healthy eating classes in their school - no kitchen required! 

To express your interest email sustainability@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au. 

Future Leaders in Sustainability

For secondary school students

The Future Leaders in Sustainability program is an exciting collaboration between Council and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

The program is delivered to Hobsons Bay high school students in Years 9 to 10, engaging them to solve real-world, local environmental problems using skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

The curriculum-based program

• Encourages leadership in environmental sustainability
• Develops core STEM skills in students and teachers
• Improves student engagement, participation and learning outcomes in STEM
• Encourages higher levels of youth engagement in solving community problems
• Motivates students to be ready for the future.  

To find out more about this program or register your school's interest in being involved, contact us at sustainability@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

Teachers Environment Networks (TENs) are a great way to get to know what is happening in your Council area. You will meet other teachers working on sustainability and environment initiatives, get to know Council officers and attend fun and informative sessions designed for educators. 

Hobsons Bay supports a TEN, meeting quarterly (once per term) to network and discover methods and resources to teach environmental issues to students. These meetings are open to primary, secondary and early childhood teachers and educators.

To find out when the next meeting is, contact sustainability@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

For secondary school students

The 2023 Environmental School Outreach Week has now concluded. To register your interest in the 2024 Environmental School Outreach Week, please click here.

Local secondary schools are invited to be part of a council-funded Environmental School Outreach Week, where we are running free waste education sessions. 

• linked to the Victorian curriculum (science, design and technologies)
• no extra work for teachers
• tailored to suit year level
• fun, interactive and educational
• encourage family conversations about waste, recycling and the environment

What teachers said about the 2023 Hobsons Bay Environmental School Outreach Week

• “It was amazing. Engaging. Lovely presenter.”

• “Lots of engagement from students and inspired critical thinking and questioning. A very informative session that taught the students (and teachers) some great ways to deal with waste.”

• “My students enjoyed the mix and match organising activity. Good balance for this age group of screen, pen and paper, sorting and discussion.”
  
  

To register your interest in the 2024 Environmental School Outreach Week, please click here.