Our Green Report 2022

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

Beaconhills College acknowledges the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung peoples as the Traditional Custodians of this Land on which our College is built. We honour and respect their ongoing cultural and spiritual connection with this Country which includes Traditional Custodianship of the land, waterways and skies across Australia. We honour the richness, diversity and sophistication of the cultures of First Nations peoples. We admit with sorrow the wrongs of the past that have taken place and continue into today and that Sovereignty was never ceded. We pay deep respects to Elders past and present and honour the strong leadership that is evident in the emerging Elders of tomorrow. We recognise that education is the key to unlocking our understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia and seek to explore what reconciliation means at Beaconhills College by partnering together and working to build a more just and compassionate society for the traditional owners of this land.

CONTENTS

MESSAGE FROM OUR BUSINESS MANAGER

OUR VISION, OUR MISSION

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

RESOURCE USE

* ELECTRICITY

* GREENHOUSE GASES

* WATER

* WASTE

* PAPER

GARDENS AND GROUNDS

* IMPROVEMENTS

* COMMUNITY GARDEN

CITIZENSHIP AND SERVICE

FUTURE PLANNING

ENVIRO-COM

Beaconhills College acknowledges the importance of managing its ecological footprint and embedding the principles of sustainability throughout the College. We are a large community of people and use a lot of resources in delivering our extensive programs. We are committed to looking at our practices and continually introducing sustainable measures that will care for and nurture the environment.

As we implement new strategies and actions to improve our College, we learn and understand further the importance of sustainability and the impact on our community. Our leadership in this area provides enormous opportunities for our community to learn about the environment and sustainability in everyday life. We keep improving our curriculum to ensure that environment and sustainability is fundamental within the Teaching and Learning Program.

By far, our biggest challenge to improving our sustainable practices remains the need to reshape our human behaviour and through our deep understanding of this issue, this behaviour will change over time.

I would like to thank members of our College team, who are responsible for developing the policy and implementing the key actions from the College’s Strategic Environmental Management Plan (SEMP). The College has a clear agenda ahead and is committed to actioning our sustainability measures.

During a period when governments are struggling to respond to the enormous health and climate change issues, Beaconhills College has set some ambitious targets that will lighten our ecological footprint.

I am pleased to say that this report demonstrates a range of strategies that we are implementing and although much has already been achieved, there is still a lot more work to be done.

David Young Business Manager

OUR VISION, OUR MISSION

Environment and sustainability

AT

Our global community

Learning mindset

Learning

That Matters

Citizenship and service

Wellbeing

Values and character

LEARNING THAT MATTERS .

Learning That Matters comprises six key pillars; Environment and sustainability, Learning mindset, Values and character, Wellbeing, Citizenship and service, and Our global community.

We aim to encourage our students and the wider community to be responsible stewards of the environment; to care, to raise awareness of the natural environment and actively work towards being more environmentally-friendly in our everyday lives. We continue to associate ourselves with sustainable practice and implore others to follow our example.

BEACONHILLS COLLEGE, OUR VISION IS TO BE AN INNOVATIVE LEARNING COMMUNITY THAT IS FOCUSED ON

OUR MISSION

RAISE AWARENESS

RAISE AWARENESS WITHIN AND BEYOND OUR OWN COLLEGE COMMUNITY

SHOWING RESPECT, COMPASSION AND INTEGRITY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND EVERYTHING THAT LIVES IN IT.

Why do we care about being green?

The College was founded in 1982 and now comprises more than 3000 students and over 500 staff (from Early Years to Year 12) across our Berwick and Pakenham campuses, and a community exceeding 10,000 members. From the classroom, to the grounds and gardens and the wider community, Beaconhills has long recognised the opportunity to a make positive difference to the world in which we live. We are aware of our responsibility to lead by example and to encourage our students to be responsible stewards of the environment, for their own future – and that of the planet.

However, our graduating students face increasing challenges in the world. They want to live healthy lives and find meaningful careers where they have the potential to shine. But they are up against a growing climate emergency in an increasingly uncertain world.

Not only do we have a vested interest in mitigating atmospheric and oceanic pollution, but it is our responsibility as an institution of learning to give factual and transparent information about how climate change will impact us and what we can do to lower our emissions.

LEADING THE WAY

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS BOOSTING BIODIVERSITY.

NESTING BOXES

In 2022 the Year 9s from both campuses worked alongside the Cardinia Environment Coalition (CEC) for their Common Good service. With help of the wood technology department, collectively they produced over 500 bird nesting boxes and a number of possum pouches. These boxes were donated back to the CEC and Green Patch Wildlife shelter, as part of a large project to contribute to wildlife habitat after the 2019–20 bushfires which depleted more than 15,000 hectares of bushland. Large trees can take 100 years or more to start forming hollows for nesting places. The Bunyip fires of 2019-20 burnt at a high intensity, destroying many larger trees and subsequently the hollows and nests. By creating these nesting boxes by hand, Beaconhills has created a wonderful amount of habitat for a range of birds (or any other wildlife looking for refuge). The boxes were placed out around consenting private properties in Tonimbuk, Garfield North, Tynong North and Mt Cannibal with reports of use last breeding season.

RESOURCESMART SCHOOLS

RESOURCESMART SCHOOLS PROGRAM

SUSTAINABILITY VICTORIA (FACILITATED BY CERES)

2010 was the first year Beaconhills College launched an environmental and sustainability plan. In 2018 the College began working with CERES facilitators to become a ResourceSmart School. The ResourceSmart Schools program covers five learning modules related to Water, Biodiversity, Energy, Waste, and Core. Templates and guidance are given to complete audits, data reporting, action plans, and environmental management plans. There are also a range of activities to complete, such as signage, community engagement and resource efficiency swaps.

We now have our second SEMP (School Environmental Management Plan) which now covers 2023-2026. The SEMP covers our education and sustainability vision, resource use with future goals, current infrastructure and future broad plans for sustainability and efficient resource use.

RESOURCE

USE

AIMING FOR EFFICIENCY

ELECTRICITY

ENERGY EFFICIENCY IS ONE OF THE EASIEST WAYS BEACONHILLS CAN REDUCE ITS FOOTPRINT.

In 2022, we had the first year of full student attendance since 2019. The cost of electricity had risen in this period and there was an increase of electricity use for the shorter periods of time when staff and students were on campus. This extra use was due to air conditioners and heaters running with windows and doors open (for recommended airflow), and spread out room use, particularly in offices. Another impact of COVID-19 lockdowns was the increased electricity use in residential learning and working spaces across our community by heating homes and using lights, appliances and computers.

New buildings are all planned with sustainability in mind. Energy efficiency is one of the easiest ways Beaconhills can reduce its footprint. When appliances are installed, energy ratings are considered along with reliability. Automatic sliding doors, insulation and reduced open planning helps maintain the desired temperature.

SOLAR GENERATION (KWH)

In 2022, the connection on the 100kW system on the Berwick Campus technology building was repaired. This is now communicating the data more accurately, and has seen the data from Berwick rise 208kWh more in 2022 compared with 2021. There is a decrease in solar generation between July and October 2022 when compared with 2021 data. This can be explained by more overcast days that we experienced in those months due to the cycle of La Niña in 2022.

The La Niña cycle is also evident in the Pakenham 2022 solar generation when compared with 2021. Despite this variance, the total solar yield has been reasonably consistent since 2019.

Our solar powered system is currently 830kW across both campuses. Berwick Campus has a 500kW system. Pakenham Campus has a 330kW system which is expected to increase, with the new Years 7 and 8 building expected to be generating solar by the end of 2023.

ELECTRICITY USE (KWH)

The COVID-19 lockdowns greatly reduced our electricity use. As 2022 was the first year with full attendance since lockdowns, it is important to note that the electricity use is best compared between 2019 and 2022. We are aiming to reduce the grid use by looking into battery storage in the future, storing solar power on-site rather than feeding into the grid.

COLLEGE SAVINGS ($)

The College saved a total of $ 1.24 million if we continued to have the same costing as 2014.

GREENHOUSE GASES

The three scopes of emissions are:

1. Direct greenhouse gases produced from burning fuel or gas.

2. Emissions generated from electricity requirements.

3. Other indirect emissions through the organisation’s actions such as business travel, transport etc.

To reduce our first scope of emissions, we are planting trees and shrubs at both campuses and working with local community organisations such as the Cardinia Environment Coalition. This vegetation acts as a carbon sink to extract carbon out of the atmosphere. We are reducing company vehicle use, how much fuel we use and have invested in electric vehicles. We have reduced our gas use, as we mainly run on electricity and only use gas in stovetops in kitchen areas.

Our second scope is discussed in more detail in the electricity section of this document.

We are reducing our third scope of emissions by looking at how we contribute to the outside world. This includes the energy required to make products for the College and the transport distance it takes to get to the College.

Firstly, we grow about 35 per cent of the fruit and vegetables we use in the canteens on campus. We source the remaining food locally, from Victorian companies. This ensures we minimise the distance food has to travel getting to the College and the fuel required to transport the food. Secondly, where possible, we source second-hand furniture from local op shops, reducing the energy costs of making new furniture. We only buy from companies which incorporate environmental responsibility into their vision. Thirdly, we encourage the Beaconhills community use public transport and other transport means to come to school, to reduce emissions from parents’ vehicles.

WE HAVE MANY PROJECTS AIMED AT REDUCING OUR ‘THREE SCOPES’ OF EMISSIONS, TO HELP LIGHTEN OUR ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT.

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS (TONNES CO 2 E)

The total greenhouse gas use was calculated from the total amount of gas and electricity the campus uses. Due to gas use being almost negligible, the graph’s trend looks very similar to the electricity use graph. Our main plan for reducing emissions is by cutting our electricity use. We have not yet found a time-efficient way to track the College’s vehicle emissions, however we know this is a contributing factor in the College’s emissions.

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS(TONNES CO 2 E)

2014: 100kW solar power systems installed at Berwick and Pakenham Campuses.

2017: 200kW solar power system installed at Berwick Campus. 3000 fluorescent globes were replaced with LEDs. A new policy was implented requiring new buildings to have sustainably built infrastructure.

2018: 130kW solar power system installed at Pakenham Campus, 4000 fluorescent globes replaced with LEDs.

2019: 100kW solar power system installed at Pakenham Campus and a 75kW system installed at Berwick Campus.

2021: 125kW solar power system installed at Berwick Campus.

2022: slight increase in gas and electricity usage from running air conditioners and heaters with windows and doors open (similar to 2019 figures - the last school year of full attendance before 2020-21 lockdowns).

WATER

WE REDUCED OUR MAINS WATER USAGE BY OVER HALF AT BOTH SITES IN 2020. FROM THE EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC AND THE FACT WE HAD NO MAJOR LEAKS AT EITHER CAMPUS, UNLIKE IN 2019, WE SAW MINIMAL USAGE OF WATER.

As our irrigation and lavatory water is from water tanks, we only use mains water for cleaning and drinking purposes.

All new buildings at the College are fitted with water-efficient taps and appliances and water tanks are installed to direct stormwater to toilets and gardens around the buildings.

Our water use is remaining much lower than 2019.

2022 was a year with more consistent rainfall as part of the La Niña cycle. We did not have to use much mains water as tanks were often filled by rainwater.

MAINS WATER USE (KL)

There is a clear reduction in water use over the past few years. With full attendance in 2022, water use has increased, however, remained under the 2019 peak.

WASTE

STREAMS OF WASTE AT BEACONHILLS.

• organic

• commingled recycling

• paper and cardboard

• clothing

• small electrical

• battery

• metal

• construction waste

• landfill.

Contractor: BINGO

• comprehensive and accurate tracking system

• tracks all our waste in both litres and tonnes rather than using an equation to calculate tonnes from measuring litres, which was very inaccurate.

Challenge: contamination of recycling bins by soft plastics causing the recyclable content to be sent to landfill.

LANDFILL COMPARISON

LANDFILL (T)

It is clear to see when older buildings were demolished at Berwick that it severely impacted the amount of waste in 20202021. Our total waste for 2022 is more of an accurate amount of what is generated by the College. The new Year 7 and 8 building for Pakenham did not require any building demolition and waste has been managed by the builder. Forty-four per cent of our total landfill contribution in 2022 was attributed to construction and building waste. Fifty-six per cent was generated by student and staff bins.

COMMINGLE COMPARISON

COMMINGLED RECYCLING (T)

General waste has increased with full student attendance in 2022, including recyclable material. However, it is important to note that recycling has gone up in recent years while the landfill waste has been reducing. This can be attributed to various means including ‘nude food’ and reusable containers. A major issue we have had in recent years is the contamination of our waste streams, often finding non-recyclable material in our commingled recycling bins.

• obtained a third and fourth commingle skip to successfully eliminate overflow going into landfill

• cleaning out Senior School, cleaning and sorting projects during lockdowns and demolishing of the performing arts building generated excess amounts of furniture and construction waste.

• cleanouts of old furniture and equipment, organising College cleaning and sorting projects during lockdowns and a furniture overhaul of Senior School were the main waste spikes for 2021.

BERWICK CAMPUS PAKENHAM CAMPUS

BERWICK CAMPUS PAKENHAM CAMPUS

WASTE BEYOND THE COLLEGE GROUNDS

2860KG OF METAL RECYCLED

• 450 old exam chairs donated to various community groups in August and September

old sports equipment donated to a local school books no longer used at Beaconhills were donated to the 123Read2Me program. Mr Fred Tantana from the Cranbourne Lions Club came to the College and collected the boxes to give to people in the wider community furniture upgrades - old furniture is either donated if in a good enough condition or separated and put into metal recycling

GrasSports Australia resurfaced the multipurpose courts at Pakenham. The old turf was strategically cut and re-purposed for some courts in the local community.

Clothing and small electrical recycling hubs located at both campuses are open to our Beaconhills community, and emptied as needed.

PAPER

SINCE 2012, THE COLLEGE HAS USED PAPERCUT MF TO TRACK ALL OF ITS PRINTER USAGE INCLUDING HOW MANY PAGES ARE PRINTED AND WHO PRINTS THEM.

Using the online platform provided by Papercut MF, each person can view their own paper use and the College can generate reports to see the busiest printers and users in the College.

In 2021, we replaced all toilet paper and hand towel stations so that they only allow 1-2 pieces of paper at a time. This has significantly reduced paper use in our bathrooms.

PRINTED PAGES (MILLIONS)

Printed pages have decreased dramatically since 2019. This can be attributed to COVID restrictions and an increasing number of students using online resources through devices rather than hardcopy textbooks. In 2022 there was an increase in paper use. While it may not be as much as expected it is still a resource which could be dramatically reduced.

BERWICK CAMPUS PAKENHAM CAMPUS

GARDENS AND GROUNDS

FOR THE PAST 40 YEARS, BEACONHILLS COLLEGE HAS CREATED AN EDUCATION FACILITY WITH A COMPLEMENTARY LANDSCAPE. IN RECENT YEARS, EDUCATION HAS SHIFTED TO BEING MORE COLLABORATIVE AND HANDS-ON, WHICH IS WHY BEACONHILLS IS DEDICATED TO ENHANCING THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT FOR ITS STUDENTS.

In 2022 the College completed works across both campuses to improve the green spaces available for students. More outdoor classroom spaces are developing to encourage outdoor learning, and vegetable gardens are maintained and constantly harvested. Development of our vegetable gardens is at an all-time high with a new glasshouse at the Pakenham Campus, mirroring the hothouse at the Berwick Campus Year 9 garden.

AIMING FOR EFFICIENCY A FLOURISHING HABITAT

Community garden

It is important that students enjoy the benefits of healthy organic produce and also learn where food comes from. We value fresh, locally grown produce over imported varieties and rely on local businesses to provide us with seasonal produce for our ever-changing Canteen menu.

Students have worked in the community garden building new gardens beds over 2022 as part of their Industry & Enterprise subject with the help of teacher Jeff Porter and gardens and grounds staff.

A new hothouse has been installed, along with a tool shed and all garden beds were very productive throughout 2022. Beaconhills hopes to use this space to engage more students in 2023 with a new program called ‘I Can Grow Food’, learning about food systems and food insecurity in the local area.

BERWICK CAMPUS

• vegetable gardens including Australian native food plants at Year 9, food technology and Little Beacons.

• indigenous plantings including a student-led indigenous garden in front of the Year 9 building.

• a new line of gum trees planted along the railway line by a VCE Outdoor and Environmental Studies class and by Beaconhills family/community members at a working bee

• bush explore space for Little Beacons.

PAKENHAM CAMPUS

• herb garden at the Canteen

• vegetable garden at food technology and Year 9

• large community garden along the southern fenceline of the College.

• indigenous gardens, including the Year 9 wetland area and around the Founders Gazebo.

• a shade avenue of fruit trees, planted by Year 7 RAVE students as a part of an environmental stewardship program, and Beaconhills family/community members at a working bee

• pond project started for completion mid-2023

• mature trees planted along the new bus loop, donated by Kilby Park Tree Farm.

Little Beacons

Little Beacons centres at both Berwick and Pakenham have incorporated an Early Explorers Program into their fortnightly routine. Staff take the four and five year olds out to explore the campus facilities and outdoor spaces, visiting bush gardens and vegetable gardens, taking part in harvesting food and bringing it back to the Little Beacons kitchen for eating.

The pond at Pakenham

In 2022 the pond was rejuvenated over the winter holidays to remove weeds and goldfish. It now has grass planted around it and a viewing platform installed for students to use as a learning space. A variety of indigenous plants will be planted in 2023 to create a frog habitat and encourage species such as the endangered Growling Grass Frog to breed.

A $50,000 state government grant has also helped create the natural bush kinder area, used by children in the centre’s Early Explorers Program. It contains wetlands, woodlands, open pasture and indigenous plants.

The centre itself is an extraordinary example of a high quality, early learning facility and mirrors Little Beacons at the College’s Pakenham Campus.

Rated as ‘exceeding’ in all seven areas of the National Quality standards, its features include 122 solar panels, water tanks for flushing toilets and garden upkeep and, beeattracting plants.

This area will become an extra outdoor classroom for students in Prep to Year 12, and also an area for Little Beacons children to visit as a part of their Early Explorers experience.

LANDSCAPING: A MASTER PLAN

The College has finalised landscape master plans and design guidelines for both campuses.

The Landscape Master Plan is intended to encourage unity in the design within and across both campus landscapes over time, so that individually designed parts of the landscape relate properly to one another, regardless of when they are built.

The Landscape Master Plan objectives are:

• the development of a detailed plan to guide the future development of all external landscape areas of each campus that supports the delivery of contemporary educational programs and practices for our learning community

• a process that ensures ownership of a landscape master plan that establishes sustainable practices around maintenance and use of spaces that is incorporated into our programs

• identification of the landscape master ‘palette’ for each campus that represents Indigenous cultures, history and heritage

• identification of key places and themes that represent purpose-based logic consistent with the strategic needs of our programs and Learning That Matters

• engaging with students on the redevelopment of the plans.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

AIMING FOR EFFICIENCY INTERNATIONAL. NATIONAL. LOCAL.

CHANGING LIVES THROUGH SERVICE: SHAPING A FUTURE OF GREATER POSSIBILITY FOR COMMUNITIES THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISM.

Contribution to community through service has always been part of the true spirit of Beaconhills College. Research and personal experience show a clear link between “doing good” for others and a sense of personal wellbeing. This is proudly supported within Beaconhills College.

Environment and sustainability are key service areas within our strategic approach to delivering meaningful and relevant support programs, both locally and abroad. We are excited to continue to deliver so much in this space.

As important as our support programs is the need to raise awareness and understand environmental impacts. This includes the need to adopt more sustainable products, habits, and processes, knowing that in time these will generate positive environmental changes for the future.

Beaconhills College will continue to develop meaningful learning opportunities and experiences for students and their families to further explore matters relating to the environment.

Sarah Dyce Head of Citizenship and Service

Stationery drive

At the end of each year, we observe lots of used stationery in our skip bins that end up in landfill. In December 2022 we asked staff to consider whether the items they were going to dispose of would be appropriate to donate to local charity - and provided each campus with a drop off location.

We collected nine boxes of good condition pens, pencils, highlighters, books, paper, rulers and folders, which were all then donated to local not-for-profit organisations. These groups support those in our local community who need extra support to cover back-toschool costs for their children.

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE Projection until 2025

Beaconhills will continue to research and implement green building design for all new developments on our campuses and review procurement policies and end-of-life procedures for equipment.

We plan to install another 800kW of solar to achieve our net 0 target - meaning we will feed the same amount of electricity into the grid that we use.

Food insecurity

Students made substantial contributions to community as part of the Year 9 Common Good Project, aimed at not only increasing student knowledge of health and social challenges, but also providing the opportunity to give back and contribute their time to support not-forprofit groups and agencies.

Students explored the definition of food insecurity, its prevalence and contributing factors through actionbased learning. They then worked in groups to prepare minestrone soup for the local Vinnies Soup Van, run by St Vincent de Paul Society.

Students were offered a ‘walk in their shoes’ experience by The Salvation Army to provide insight into emergency relief models and what it looks like when you need to access support.

It’s hoped these experiences will encourage gratitude and help students understand the need to be less wasteful and more resourceful.

Beaconhills College will keep finding ways to improve our recycling and extend our service programs. Educating students, staff and families about the vital importance of sustainability is a key priority for the future of our planet.