NEWHAM PRIMARY REACHES SUSTAINABILITY STARS

A small school in the Macedon Ranges has been recognised as a sustainability champion, achieving the highest level of certification through Victoria’s ResourceSmart Schools program.

Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos today presented teachers and students at Newham Primary School with a 5 Star certificate. The school joined the ResourceSmart School program in 2014 and are one of the program’s longest standing active schools.

The school has worked tirelessly over the last 9 years to actively reduce their waste to landfill and energy consumption. The school has achieved reductions in the energy use by 92,000 kilowatts, reduced emissions by 96 tonnes of carbon emissions, and planted over 1000 trees, boosting biodiversity along the banks of Deep Creek tributary, creating a nature corridor for wildlife that connects with the Cobaw Biolink.

The ResourceSmart Schools program, delivered by Sustainability Victoria, supports Victorian schools to embed sustainability across school facilities, community and curriculum.Since 2008, the ResourceSmart Schools program has assisted more than 1,400 schools to save 1.8 million kilolitres of water, divert 194,000 cubic metres of waste from landfill and abate 118,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

Through the program, participating schools have saved a total of $41 million on school operations bills. As part of Sustainability in Schools month, throughout November, schools can participate in a wide range of free activities.

For further details about the host of free activities please visit https://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/energy-efficiency-and-reducingemissions/resourcesmart-schools/resourcesmart-schools-event

Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas

‍“I congratulate Newham Primary School on their 5-star certificate for their amazing achievements on reducing their waste to landfill and energy consumption. Their success is an example of what can be achieved by working together to combat climate change.”

‍

Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment, Steve Dimopoulos

“Victoria is proud to be a world leader on climate action and we have set strong renewable energy targets that will create a more climate-resilient and prosperous future for the next generation. The work happening in schools like Newham Primary is having a real impact on meeting these targets.”

“The whole school community at Newham Primary can be very proud of their considerable achievements over many years to reduce waste, save water and protect our environment.”

“Newham Primary School has set a terrific example on the part we can all play to protect our environment by taking action in our homes, schools and local communities."