Regional ResourceSmart Schools of Victoria

02/11/2026

Huge thanks to Wendouree Primary School for hosting the recent Ballarat Teacher Environment Network (TEN) meeting. The TEN meets twice a year and is open to all interested primary and secondary teachers in and around Ballarat, showcasing local, meaningful and hands-on sustainability education initiatives. ​

Teachers, school staff and leaders explored ideas related to sustainability, wellbeing, school food production, STEM and outdoor learning. It was wonderful to experience a 5 star school, catch up with the network and enjoy pizza from the onsite wood-fired pizza oven!​

Thank you to BADAC, Zero Plastics Australia, City of Ballarat, Leigh Catchment Group, Gardens for Wildlife Ballarat, Ballarat Community Health, Zoos Victoria and Farm My School for being involved. ​
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Follow our Humanitix page for details on the next one. https://events.humanitix.com/host/resourcesmart-schools

01/11/2026

Following feedback from the last Gippsland Teacher Environment Network catchup, our recent Term 4 meeting explored composting. ​

Participants enjoyed: ​

- Composting insights from Alex, Waste Recovery Officer at Latrobe City Council. ​

- Ways Landcare can support schools from Regional Landcare Coordinator for West Gippsland Marnie. ​

- STEM Teacher Mickie took us on a tour of St Angela of the Cross Primary School, including vegetable garden, Bottles for Bees initiative and sustainability features ​

- Networking with fellow sustainability-focused educators from across Gippsland. ​

It was fantastic to see educators learning, sharing experiences and leaving inspired with practical strategies to support waste reduction and sustainability education in their school communities. ​

Thank you Latrobe City Council, Landcare in West Gippsland, St Angela of the Cross Primary School, Warragul
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Our Gippsland Teacher Environment Network meets twice a year and is open to all interested primary and secondary teachers in Gippsland.

Follow our Humanitix page for details on the next one. https://events.humanitix.com/host/resourcesmart-schools

30/10/2026

Congratulations Wendouree Primary School for achieving 5 Star ResourceSmart School status!

This outstanding achievement reflects the dedication of staff, students and the wider school community to embedding sustainability across the school and creating meaningful environmental outcomes.

Wendouree PS staff and students have made a nature walk around the perimeter of the school grounds, planted native trees and shrubs to reduce heat and energy usage in classrooms and each class has a garden bed.

It is a whole school effort and well worth celebrating! ​

To find out more about becoming a ResourceSmart School visit: https://www.environment.vic.gov.au/resourcesmart-schools

30/10/2026

We'd love to hear about any school sustainability actions your students have participated in this month!

In this monthly post, we are excited to hear about actions big or small. Whether it's planting a garden, reducing waste, caring for biodiversity, saving energy or leading a sustainability project, we'd love to hear about it!

Share your successes in words or photos in the comments to inspire other schools across Victoria. (or message us and we'll post for you!)

28/10/2026

Looking for new ideas for school fundraising projects? We love the ones that are low waste and that parents look forward to as much as the kids!

We encourage teachers, student groups as well as parents and friends groups to have a read of our 2026 Garage Sale Guide 2026. It brings together a range of activities, hints and ideas to make your secondhand sale memorable and profitable. The guide is available here: https://brand.sustainability.vic.gov.au/shared/assets/W5K2jk69HhYmkMCQ5?k=ZS90FkyNqo1CuBccWVvfwzewZ62Ggd8KWxix14ICi54%3D

28/10/2026

Thinking about entering the 2026 ResourceSmart Schools Awards?
Join our upcoming Show and Tell to hear firsthand from award-winning schools Red Gum and Greater Shepparton Secondary College.

Discover their sustainability journeys, gain practical tips for preparing a strong Awards submission, and learn about the benefits of becoming a finalist or winner.

Be inspired, ask questions, and find out why your school should enter this year!

27/10/2026

We love hearing about schools who raise money via secondhand uniform or book stalls and garage sales. To make it easier for schools to raise some funds while giving useful items a second life , we've updated our RSS Garage Sale Guide 2026.
The guide supports teachers and student action teams to run a garage sale – just in time for the national Garage Sale Trail on 7-8 or 14-16 November! (or host your event at another suitable time!). The guide contains practical tips, hints, printables, suggestions for including the school community and links to the RSS Waste Module.

26/10/2026

Entries are now open for the 2027 ResourceSmart Schools Awards.
Victoria's largest celebration of sustainability in schools is back.

This year's theme, Our Action, Our Future, celebrates the students, teachers, volunteers and school communities creating positive environmental change across Victoria.

Whether your school is empowering student leaders, embedding sustainability into the curriculum, reducing waste or transforming school grounds, there is a category for you.

Entries close 5 March 2027.

20/10/2026

Wonderful Water Hero actions and imagery to celebrate National Water Week.

Each year, Victorian water corporations celebrate National Water We...

02/06/2026

A great example of a ResourceSmart School in action saving precious water supplies and money 💙

A hidden leak can waste thousands of litres of water and cost schools hundreds of dollars every week!

That's why we're inviting schools to join the Schools Water Efficiency Program (SWEP).

It’s free for schools to join, and participants save an average of $1,500 on water bills a year.

Earlier this year, Lowanna College detected a major leak through the program. If it had gone unnoticed, it could have wasted more than 21,600 litres of water every day and cost the school up to $611 a week.

Find out more 👉 https://ow.ly/2CTc50Z605M

📸: Lowanna College business manager Angela Skinner and sustainability coordinator Judy Stewart with our managing director Sarah Cu***ng.