Sustainability in Schools Month: Stories of Working Together

Sustainability in Schools Month, an initiative led by Sustainability Victoria’s ResourceSmart Schools’ team, is highlighting the power of partnerships in driving environmental change through a series of free online learning sessions taking place throughout the month of November.

This year’s theme, “Stories of Working Together,” focuses on how schools are collaborating with community organisations, local councils, not-for-profits, universities and government agencies to achieve their sustainability goals.

Throughout the month, schools will showcase their projects and partnerships, offering teachers practical insights into how collaboration can amplify impact and embed sustainability into everyday learning.

Hear from inspiring ResourceSmart Schools across Victoria about how they’re working together with their community, learn about the benefits of sharing the load and creating a bigger impact, and discover tried and tested approaches implemented at the featured schools.

Sustainability in Schools Month schedule:

• Wednesday 5 November – Kickstarting Sustainability
  Launching the month with a focus on how schools can begin their sustainability journey through collaboration.
• Thursday 6 November – Our Lady Star of the Sea & Bellarine Catchment Network
  Exploring local environmental partnerships and catchment care.
• Tuesday 11 November – Victory College & River Detectives
  Highlighting student-led waterway monitoring and conservation.
• Thursday 13 November – St Macartan’s Primary School
  Featuring partnerships with the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program and the Men’s Shed, showcasing intergenerational learning and food sustainability.
• Tuesday 18 November – Box Hill High School & Monash University
  Demonstrating how schools and universities can work together on sustainability research and innovation.
• Wednesday 19 November – Resource Connections
  Featuring support from DEECA’s Conservation Regulator, Schools Water Efficiency Program (SWEP), and Department of Transport’s Bike Ed program.
• Wednesday 26 November – Pleasant Street Primary School & McCallum Disability Services
  Celebrating inclusive sustainability initiatives and community empowerment.
• Thursday 27 November – ResourceSmart Schools Awards
  Outlining the benefits of entering the awards and tips for creating a winning entry

Cyrelle Field, Education Manager at Sustainability Victoria, said, “Sustainability in Schools Month is a chance to learn from each other and understand the power of building stronger networks.

“When schools collaborate with other organisations and work with their communities, they can be supported to increase the reach and impact of their efforts,” Cyrelle said.

Sustainability Victoria has been working with schools for nearly two decades through its award-winning ResourceSmart Schools program. Since 2008, the program has supported over 1600 Victorian schools to embed sustainability into their teaching, operations and culture, helping them reduce waste, save energy and water, cut emissions, and strengthen community connections.

The success of ResourceSmart Schools has created interest nationally, with the Australian Capital Territory now licensed to use elements of the program.