Environmental Education

permeates through many curriculum areas
children have “hands on” experience with animals, gardens and building
whole school environmental days occur each year
units of environmental education studied through S.O.S.E.
specialist program operates for Prep – Grade 6

St. Francis of the Fields is committed to teaching Environmental Education across the whole of the school. Lessons are conducted two days a week by Paul Dullard, the Environmental Education Co-ordinator. The lessons are focused around the environmental happenings of our school property and the agricultural activities of the school farm.

The school conducts a major Environmental Day each year. Topics covered are Creek Life, Mini Beasts and Bird Life.

Each year the school has raised several calves by bucket and consequently, has a number of mature cattle to sell each year. A percentage of this revenue goes to the Library for special purchases, with the remainder being used to enhance the Environmental Program.

Funding is often sought from outside the school through Community Grants, programs and awards. We attempt to apply for such funding as it is advertised and, up to date, have been very successful.

The school is also developing a wetlands area and in November 2004 became the first school in Victoria to be accredited as a Sustainable School.


Environmental Action Group

Students at St. Francis of the Fields Primary are committed to caring for the environment. Fifteen Grade 6 students make up the St. Francis Environmental Action Group.

These students are involved in the planning and development of many of the sustainability initiatives that happen at the school and in the surrounding environment.

The Action Group is a terrific way for the senior students to extend their leadership skills. The group headed to the Mildura River Health Conference in October this year where they presented a series of workshops to the 500 delegates at the conference.

Through projects like these, St. Francis of the Fields has been awarded full 5 Star Accreditation through the National and Victorian Sustainable Schools Initiative and was chosen as one of the Department of Environment and Heritage Pilot Schools in this program.
St. Francis is the first school in the whole of Australia to be awarded 5 Star Accreditation.

The St. Francis Environmental Action Group is a great example of how a school can help the environment through action, curriculum and community.

Bendigo Youth River Health Conference
CERES 2006 Education Programs

A copy of our Environmental and Sustainability Policy can be viewed here.