Environmental Education
Environment learning is formally taught by classroom teachers and is a prominent component in the cycle of integrated topics covered by teachers in the planned cycle of learning. Environmental learning is also one of the ‘through lines’ which has an emphasis in the classroom on a regular basis. Learning in this area is supported by classroom structures which nominate duties regarding energy management, recycling and waste management responsibilities to children. Children have a natural passion for environmental learning and topics and issues for discussion and investigation come into the life of a classroom on a regular basis.

Brunswick North West Primary School employs a garden and environmental educator to operate a garden based program for children. This program aims to assist the school in establishing and maintaining an environmentally sustainable productive food garden. The program also aims to integrate the garden into the school curriculum with garden-based activities which support healthy food choices and develop knowledge about ecosystems and our connection to the natural world. This program engages the school community with a number of parents involved in regular garden and maintenance work around the school. The school is very fortunate to have an active group of parents and grandparents who work tirelessly to create an attractive and safe environment for our children.

Environmental Values
The environmental values of Brunswick North West Primary School support a lifelong approach to learning aimed at helping children to understand and appreciate their connection to, and impact upon the natural environment. Our school community believes every child should have the opportunity to benefit from a quality education where they learn the values, behaviour and lifestyles required for a sustainable future.

A sustainable society is based on a set of values, including:

• Respect, care and compassion for ourselves, others and our environment
• Responsibility for our actions
• Acknowledgment of the importance of all life on earth
• Understanding and inclusion of all peoples and perspectives.

Our schools approach to sustainability is through:

• Governance that supports sustainability policies, procedures and programs
• Curriculum that is developed and delivered on the principles of environmental education for sustainability
• Responsive resource management and innovation, including utilities, facilities and the creation of natural environments within the school
• Partnerships, alliances and networks with government, communities and business
• Implementation and evaluation of strategies and actions to reduce the school’s ecological footprint

Brunswick North West Primary School has adopted a whole-school approach to developing a sustainable lifestyle and policy development which reflects our environmental values. This includes making decisions based on sustainable practices with regard to purchasing, energy consumption, water usage, recycling and waste disposal. We believe that students should have an active voice in the decision-making process regarding care for our school environment and the sustainable processes adopted by the school in its everyday operation.