Overview

The Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative - WA (AuSSI - WA) is part of the national Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative, developed by the Australian Government (Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts) in cooperation with State and Territory education and environment agencies, and other key organisations:

http://www.environment.gov.au/education/aussi/index.html

AuSSI - WA provides a framework that supports schools in the development of a whole-school approach to Education for Sustainability (EfS).

At present, most WA schools practise many elements of sustainability / Education for Sustainability (EfS) through such areas as utilities management, bushland and dune protection schemes, reconciliation and other social (student wellbeing) programs.

AuSSI - WA takes it to the ‘next level’ by encouraging the use of sustainability as a key context for teaching and learning as part of a whole-school approach; ‘embedding sustainability within the culture of the school community’ is the overarching goal of this initiative.

Participating schools are supported by a framework and planning processes that enhance successful practice by developing a streamlined, coordinated approach. As part of this process, school communities are encouraged to reflect on their values as they create a shared vision for a sustainable future.

The Initiative supports:

• ‘Real-life’, meaningful learning tasks for students and teachers
• Opportunities to save school communities money through effective resource management
• Access to a range of resources and an expanding support network
• Promotion of schools’ EfS activities
• Curriculum development - teaching, learning and reporting, with explicit links to learning areas and core shared values within the WA Curriculum Framework
• Building community partnerships
• Active, global citizenship - a chance to empower, and feel empowered, within your local community – taking action for a cleaner, inclusive, bio-diverse world
• Professional learning and networking opportunities