Environmental

Sustainability

Inspiring our school community towards effective, realistic and meaningful targets. Mrs Anna Dickinson, Principal

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A Message from the Environment Council and School Executive

Informed by the Managing for Sustainability pillar of our Strategic Plan, Inspired Minds – Catalysts for Change 2020-2023, one of the significant projects in our 2022 Annual Implementation Plan has been the development of an Environmental Sustainability Framework (see below). We would like to acknowledge support from KPMG Australia and other organisations in our sustainability journey.

In consultation and with the support of the School Board, it is now time to maximise the significant progress that has been made and take our commitment to sustainability to the next level. To this end, an Environmental subcommittee of the School Board has been formed, including student representatives and staff members.

Loreto Kirribilli continues to implement sustainability initiatives, focusing on energy generation and consumption, waste and plastics reduction, and local environment improvement. In every corner of our campus we are finding ways to reduce, regenerate, reuse, and recycle.

At the same time, our Student Leaders have made a commitment to inspire our school community towards effective, realistic and meaningful targets for environmental sustainability. We look forward to supporting our students with these ambitious goals with the school community in 2022, our Year of Freedom of Spirit, and beyond.

Loreto Kirribilli Environmental Sustainability Framework

We worked with KPMG to develop an environmental strategic framework informed by broad consultation and surveys of key internal and external stakeholders to determine the material environmental topics of greatest importance to the school. These topics were validated and prioritised by the school leadership and resulted in 4 key focus areas being:

  • Emissions reduction
  • Sustainable consumption
  • Natural abundance and
  • Environmental literacy
Sustainability Initiatives
Curriculum
  • Year 5 Solar Buddies Program in partnership with Origin Energy
  • Thinking & Advocacy elective offered in Year 9 where students learn about global issues and develop skills in advocating for change
  • Sustainability-themed project work integrated throughout elements of the curriculum
  • Design & Technology Faculty design and create sustainable products e.g. recycled clothing, plastic-free packaging
  • Geography curriculum and excursions focused on our environment
  • English, Studies of Religion, Technical & Applied Studies Sustainability Stewardship Project in Year 9
Student Agency

  • Student-led JPICD Environment Council promotes responsible and accountable stewardship of the planet, and raises awareness of local and global environmental injustices
  • Students have lobbied Federal Members of Parliament regarding environmental stewardship
  • Ongoing student-led initiatives and campaigns throughout the school year e.g. Earth Week, Earth Hour, National Recycling Week, Donuts for Deforestation
  • Student representation on Environmental subcommittee of the School Board
Sustainability in Partnership with our Supporters in Learning
  • Environmental Sustainability Framework in development
  • Student learning opportunities through Taronga Conservation Society
  • UNSW Solar Industrial Research Facility gives students exposure to world-class solar energy research and development
  • NRMA Future of Transport Competition - STEM unit of work addresses real-world transport issues in Sydney
  • Ex-Students’ Union, Parents & Friends and LK Connect involved in promoting and supporting sustainable initiatives
Campus and Facilities
  • Solar panels in Junior School
  • Rainwater tanks in Junior School for water recycling
  • Energy-efficient LED lighting throughout school buildings
  • Water fountains installed throughout Junior and Senior School campus
  • Smart metering for air-conditioning in Science Labs
  • Window upgrade program to improve airflow and reduce air conditioning consumption
  • On-site vegetable garden provides fresh produce for Canteen use
  • Energy-efficient electrical appliance replacement scheme
  • Rooftop planting to assist with cooling
  • Garden Master Plan includes design principles around sustainability: less water use, more shade, better cooling, more insect life and incorporating indigenous species suited to microclimate
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
  • Recycling bins in use throughout the school
  • ‘Return and Earn’ recycling program implemented
  • Sale of single-use plastic water bottles ceased in Canteen in 2018
  • Second-hand uniforms available for purchase online
  • Annual Parents & Friends’ sale of second-hand uniforms
  • Second-hand textbooks sales
  • Junior School furniture shipped to East Timor to be reused
  • Computers and other hardware sold for reuse
  • Wooden bamboo forks & recyclable containers used in Canteen
Spiritus Project
  • Design and construction of Spiritus informed by green principles
  • Water Conservation: rainwater collection and reuse facility incorporated in the design; landscaping with endemic native species; fire control systems include recirculation and storage to minimise water wastage for testing; highly water-efficient fixtures and fittings
  • Flexibility - Services: flat slabs designed to maximise future reconfigurations of services; reticulation of power and data uses flexible systems to enable multiple usage modes
  • Flexibility - Structure: structural columns have maximum spans and are located to the perimeter of each learning space to enable maximum flexibility
  • Energy Efficiency: fans contribute to air movement and improve air-conditioning efficiency by promoting airflow; next-generation LED lighting with automatic dimming
  • Circulation: design encourages the use of stairs over lifts
  • Façade Design: façade with integral sun shading provides 50% shading across its surface while allowing a high level of daylight penetration
  • Mechanical Design - Fresh Air: mechanical design maximises outdoor air supply to ensure CO2 levels are kept below 800ppm
  • Mechanically Assisted Natural Ventilation: innovative economy cycle within air-conditioning fan coil units to ensure the most efficient system operation
  • Wellbeing: filtration and monitoring of drinking water quality; lighting design produces light that matches the daylight spectrum; reduction in sources of indoor air pollution through materials selections and highly filtered air
  • Learn more about the environmental sustainability features of the new Spiritus building
  • These green principles now incorporated into the school’s Master Plan for future projects
Green Travel
  • All Senior School students strongly encouraged to travel to and from school via public transport
  • Staff carpooling encouraged
  • Bicycle racks to be installed with the construction of Spiritus
Digital Transformation and Sustainable Workflows & Practices
  • Online textbooks
  • Consent, permission and registration forms completed online through parent portal, CH@LK Plus
  • Ongoing migration to paperless workflows across all areas
  • Spirit magazine available digitally
  • Junior and Senior School weekly newsletters distributed digitally
  • Centralised resource purchasing to reduce waste
  • Purchasing Policy informed by environmental sustainability e.g. eco-friendly toilet paper, limited use of damaging chemicals

Environmental sustainability is important to all those who are part of the Loreto Kirribilli community. Our Environmental Sustainability Framework will address the material topics of biodiversity, energy efficiency, carbon management, climate risk, food, transport, waste management, construction and refurbishment as we consult with the school community to develop a holistic strategy.

Robert Magner, Loreto Kirribilli Sustainability Champion
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My Nori eco-packaging line is designed to combat the alarming issue of plastic pollution in society by providing a sustainable alternative. Made from my algae-derived bioplastic and embedded seeded paper, my design is 100% biodegradable, compostable and recyclable.

Year 12 2022 TAS student Alex
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