Case study – Cowandilla Primary School (K-7)

Grounds Committee

Involves teachers, the grounds person, school leadership and parents investigating, developing and implementing actions to assist the school address climate change and to become more sustainable.

Climate Change Cluster

The school has led a cluster of schools (Richmond and Plympton Primary Schools as well as Warriapendi School) to develop literacy around the climate change issue and to identify and implement actions to address climate change. All of the schools involved in the cluster have made significant progress in improving their sustainability. Students presented all their great work at a celebration at the end of 2008 that was attended by SA premier Mike Rann.

Water

Have installed water tanks on a range of buildings and plumbed these to flush toilets, push button taps, and sub surface irrigation for the oval.

Garden

Revegetation projects have been done on the school land with support from the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board. A highly endangered plant known as a Lignum was found on the school grounds and has since been propagated and planted at various locations in the school and in other parts of the community. Disused lawn areas have been replaced with indigenous gardens that require less resources to maintain and provide habitat for butterflies and birds.

Energy

The school has planted shade trees in strategic locations, added a verandah to keep direct sun off their canteen fridges, and installed solar panels.

Recycling

Waste audits were completed at the school with the support of Wipe Out Waste and a range of issues were identified that the school wants to address in 2009. The school was successful in its application for a Zero Waste SA grant to set up a recycling and composting area.

Curriculum

Environmental responsibility is ongoing in the curriculum with a particular focus on Climate change. Students have investigated issues and taken action under the themes of waste, water, energy and biodiversity. Teacher professional development has been an important focus for the school.