Sustainability
Garden overview

Sustainability

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Contributing to a more sustainable future

As a school, we seek to develop students’ knowledge and understanding of their role in caring for the world around us, and to minimise our environmental footprint. 

New buildings are being designed with sustainability in mind, while existing buildings are being retrofitted with sustainable features. 

Across the College's three campuses, a number of measures are being put in place to minimise our impact on the world around us - from renewable energy, responsible waste management and water saving measures, to productive spaces and habitat. Find out more about our sustainable practices below. 

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Renewable energy

We are committed to the use of renewable energy. Our Kent Town campus features a 100KW solar array on the RED Centre and a 30KW solar array on the roof of our Early Learning Centre.

At our Wambana campus, 32 solar panels feed directly into the grid, with solar-powered hot water to eight accommodation buildings.

Our Scotts Creek outdoor education centre features 34.8Kw and 10.8Kw solar arrays and 19.8kWh battery storage (generating 80MW in 2020). A live display system in the dining hall allows staff and students to monitor energy consumption whilst on campus. 

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Waste and recycling

We are committed to responsible waste management. At our Kent Town campus we operate a three stream collection in public spaces across the campus, with separate bins for deposit containers, co-mingled recycling and landfill. Separate collection programs exist for paper/cardboard and organic waste.

In our Early Learning Centre and Prep School, organic waste is composted and used in the gardens, or fed to the chickens in the ELC.

Across the campus, we use only 100% recycled organic products on gardens and surrounds. 

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Water conservation

We have introduced strategies to reduce potable water consumption. These include: 

  • Use of recycled (GARWS) water on the grounds at our Kent Town campus, including all ovals, and Park 9 and 15. 
  • Watering in a number of areas controlled using evapotranspiration rates (watering occurs on a needs basis, rather than at a scheduled time).
  • Rainwater harvesting/storage and use on gardens in areas including the Health Centre and Boarding House.
  • The recently completed Health Centre garden is 100% native planting, reducing the need for watering.
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Productive spaces

Veggie beds, fruit orchards and other growing spaces across our campuses help develop students’ enjoyment and understanding of the world around them, and our food ecosystems.

The very youngest students in our ELC take responsibility for caring for their class veggie bed, assisting with planting, watering and collecting produce for use in classroom activities, while our older students assist with more complex activities. 

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