While 2011 saw the completion of the three year ‘Multicultural School Gardens’ program funding, Gould League has been incredibly fortunate to receive funding from Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) Strategic Partnership Program Triennial Funding (2012-2014) once again, this time to facilitate the ‘Students Futurescaping Schools’ project.
The project will see five disadvantaged schools per year participating in this fully-funded program to increase the biodiversity within their school grounds and the adoption of sustainable practices within the whole school community.
Guided by experienced Gould League Staff over a twelve month period, students will plan, plant and care for a 'Multicultural Food Garden' or a 'Wildscape Habitat Garden'. Students will use interactive websites for creating their designs, and use inquiry-based strategies for planning a maintenance program for their garden, and work to engage the whole school community in supporting and celebrating their success.
Both of these engaging options support schools in embedding sustainability into their whole school community and meeting the requirements of the Resource Smart AuSSI Vic Biodiversity Module. ‘Students Futurescaping Schools’ builds on the success of ‘Multicultural School Gardens’, incorporating elements such as professional learning opportunities for teachers, other staff and parents. Engaging the whole school community in environmental management planning, integrating sustainability into the curriculum and linking to government initiatives will ensure that the program aims are maintained and expanded long after Gould League staff have directly engaged with the school.
A considerable number of schools have already completed our online ‘Registration of Interest’ form to be in line for new projects and to help us demonstrate just how many schools and community organisations are waiting to be part of these highly effective programs.
Want to be part of an amazing program like this in the future? Register your interest today.
