Promoting ecological conversion and environmental sustainability
At St Justin's, our students and staff take an active role in being stewards of creation and 'caring for our common home’.
Inspired by Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical, Laudato Si’, our school community understands that we have to respond to the environmental challenges of the 21st century with creative and thoughtful planning, education and concrete actions that can make a difference to the health of our planet, all people and all creatures.
Our commitment to being responsible members of Planet Earth is evident in our classroom learning and teaching, the prayer and liturgical life of our school, our resource and grounds management, and whole school planning for community initiatives that contribute to the betterment of our environment and our relationships with one another.
Our St Justin's school community is involved in a range of initiatives that empower our students to support the ongoing care of creation through:
- Student Environmental Committee/Club/Team and/or Garden Committee/Club/Team
- Curriculum integration of environmental awareness and sustainability
- Vegetable, herb and fruit gardens
- A waste management system that includes recycling and participation in the ‘Vinnies Return and Earn’ scheme
- Waste-free or nude-food lunches
- Dedicated staff environmental committee and/or staff environmental coordinator (WEN contact)
- Staff professional development to support student and school environmental learning and action
- Physical ‘Acknowledgement of Country’ on school grounds
- Celebration of the ‘World Day of Prayer of the Care of Creation’ and the ‘Season of Creation’
- Active members of the Wollongong Environment Network
Our school also has a School Environment Management Plan (SEMP) which identifies and plans for our key environmental actions and projects. These include:
- Our vegetable garden
- Recycle and Redcycle
- Minimising the use of packaging through Nude Food
- Implementing a whole school waste management system
- Ethical use of resources for staff e.g. minimise paper usage
- Prayer Garden and outdoor learning spaces
- Values and practices that align to Laudato Si
- Honouring days such as Clean Up Australia, World Environment Day and World Day for the Care of Creation
For more information, visit the CEDoW Wollongong Environment Network
