Find out what the Woodbridge School is up 2

Picture: Landcare teacher, Nel Smit, and students planting out the banks of the wetland where weeds were removed

Water conservation was a focus for Woodbridge School's Whole School Sustainability Plan in 2006. Water conservation involved students and staff involved in water quality measurements and investigations as well as a range of water saving measures. Through this focus the school managed to save an estimated 1.3 million litres of water. This was possible through a Water Care Grant from the Federal Government, which enabled us to install waterless urinals, half flush toilets and spring loaded taps. In addition we bought a mulcher so that garden materials could be mulched for the gardens.

Every class had responsibility for caring for an area around the school. The 4/5 class rehabilitated an area of barren crown land with local native trees and mulch. One year later the students have been very proud to see that the trees are now taller than the students. Over 1000 native plants were planted along the foreshore. Another class took responsibility for the wetland and were supported by a Green Corps team in clearing the cumbungi weed from the area. These students checked the run off into the wetland from the car park by checking oil leaks under the cars and working proactively to reduce litter, which was filtered into the wetland.

Students in the Landcare leadership group manage the whole school composting system and the paper recycling which supports water conservation and has reduced waste going to landfill by 80%.

Our school relies solely on tank water so that the water saving measures are vital to the management of the school.