In the July school break, I was fortunate to present at Korero in Queenstown NZ. Korero is a Maori word for Conversation. This was a Conference like no other, there were no keynote speakers charging significant fees to sell us an idea or product, but rather was a series of workshops presented by Principals for Principals in the Catholic Secondary Schools sector. There were over 100 Principals from New Zealand and Australia in attendance.
I shared the story of Merici College and our amazing Sustainability curriculum and strategies, healthy canteen and kitchen garden. It was a natural and easy workshop where I was able to focus on the fact that healthy bodies are the perfect template to create a healthy mind. I share with you all some of my talking points and leave you with a burning question!
At Merici College we have created and established a healthy eating and drinking policy, social action and fundraising policy and an amazing canteen that supplies value for money meals and drinks without artificial flavours, colours or preservatives. Ingredients are sourced from our kitchen garden and fruit; meat and vegetables are sourced from local markets. Meals are created by staff and students in our state of the art Trade Training Centre. A variety of plates are served each day, cafeteria style with no packaging. Students also must sort their scraps into various bins for compost and recycling. This holistic approach ensures students are aware of the impact of paddock and pasture to plate and beyond.
Merici College runs the school canteen in order to provide a healthy alternative for students and staff and incorporate it into Merici’s vision of a more sustainable school. The Healthy Canteen has since been a catalyst for other sustainability initiatives within the school. These include the establishment of a kitchen garden, the sustainability elective and improving waste management and energy efficiencies in the school. All these activities are integrated, and are either driven by student groups; SAM (Sustainability at Merici and led by Sustainability Captain) or part of the curriculum. The school’s Kitchen Garden aims to provide students with the practical experience in growing fruit and vegetables that promotes an understanding in sustainable food production
Merici College’s focus on sustainability is evident throughout the curriculum for students across year levels. Every department incorporates content that empowers students to live more sustainable lives. Students learn skills that can be applied to environmental problems, content about environmental issues and solutions, and behaviours that help to reduce their impact on the environment. This learning is seen in humanities, mathematics, languages, technologies, creative arts, sciences, religious studies and sports. In 2016, Merici was awarded certification from ACTSmart Schools for having a curriculum focused on sustainability.
We are proud to be a flag ship school with students and staff participating and upholding the Sustainability initiatives. It is our priority, to provide for all our community an education that…
…develops the knowledge, skills, values and world views necessary for people to act in ways that contribute to more sustainable patterns of living. (from the Australian Curriculum, Cross-Curriculum Priorities, Sustainability)
What do you do in your home to contribute to a sustainable pattern of living??
Loretta Wholley
Principal
