Every year, the IEU invites members from schools, colleges and early childhood centres to apply for a number of grants to develop sustainability initiatives.
The 2024-25 Environment Grants, proudly sponsored by Teachers Mutual Bank and the IEU, have been announced, and include a variety of innovative and exciting projects.
Early childhood education and care
Evans Head Preschool Association, Evans Head: Compost Champions
Through developing a culture of composting, children will build an understanding of the environment, sustainability, and reducing waste. Through composting, they will learn about the processes of decomposition, the role of micro-organisms, and the importance of soil health.
Christ Church Gladesville Preschool, Gladesville: Indigenous Multi-Sensory Garden
The project will enable children to experience the benefits of regular and meaningful interaction and immersion in the natural environment. Enhancing learning in resource management and sustainability, the garden will build greater awareness of Country and local cultures through consultation with the Dhurug community.
Primary schools
St Joseph’s Primary School, Taree: Green Roof Pergola
St Joseph’s will build a biodiverse green roof pergola that will attract birds, bees and other animals and support the reduction of the school’s carbon footprint. The roof garden will support the Community Kitchen, providing food to create meals for the homeless within the community.
St Therese Parish Primary School, West Wollongong: Native Bees in Schools - Stingless Bees, Hive and annual flowers
The school will engage in the stingless bee program and will purchase bees, hives and annual flowers. This will be a co-education program and form an integral part of the overall sustainable environmental program in the school.
Assumption Catholic Primary School, Bathurst: Buwanha Walan (Grow Strong in Wiradjuri language)
The project will see a garden built next to the Yarning Circle and filled with native and bush tucker plants. Students can learn how First Nations people used plants and how they still have significance today, as well as how First Nations peoples cared for the land. They will experience watching something grow (buwanha) through the seasons while learning about the importance of improving environmental sustainability.
Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School, Nicholls: Indigenous Garden
Revamping the existing Indigenous Garden, students will plant new native plants and add seating around the firepit to create a Yarning Circle. Teachers will be able to educate students about local plants and their uses by Aboriginal people. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students will be involved in choosing plants that are native to the Ngunnawal people and other bush tucker or natives that will suit the environment. The Yarning Circle will be used to learn about and share their culture.
Secondary schools
McCarthy Catholic College, Tamworth: Germination and growing of Native plants for the McCarthy Environmental Regeneration Project
The project aims to increase and foster student interest in the local environment and community and to develop an environmental resource. The project will provide a space to grow local Aboriginal food which will give students greater understanding of local Aboriginal culture while creating habitat for fauna.
Our Lady of Mercy College, Parramatta: Enhancing Marine Education through Underwater Exploration
The project will purchase an underwater digital camera with GPS tagging and snorkelling equipment for students in Years 9-12 to enhance marine studies education.
Students will capture and analyse data, fostering environmental awareness, developing technical skills and allowing them to contribute to citizen science. Engaging in real-world geography, students will contribute to a culture of conservation within the school.
Preschool to Year 12
Central Coast Montessori School, Bateau Bay: Water Saver
The school aims to operate at a carbon neutral level, supplanting grid connections with small scale energy generation infrastructure (small scale wind turbines, batteries, solar). Additional water storage tanks will be used for the grounds with filtration to clean the water. Rainwater tanks will maintain a sustainable vegetable garden to serve the local community.
The Armidale Waldorf School, Armidale: Mud, Fibres, Grasses – The Nest Builders
The project aims to regenerate a section of remnant bush that is in the centre of the school’s car park. The school aims to create a habitat zone of food and nesting sites for small woodland birds.
The IEU and Teachers Mutual Bank congratulate all grant winners and we look forward to hearing more about their projects.