Celebrating sustainable schools

FOUR Ballarat schools have been named as finalists in the 2026 ResourceSmart Schools Awards.

Siena Catholic Primary School, Wendouree Primary, Pleasant Street Primary and St James’ Parish Primary are competing against 25 other Victorian schools for the awards.

Siena has been nominated in the category of Campus Infrastructure and Operations School of the Year. The school was able to prevent waste, upgrade lighting and install stormwater tanks by renovating, instead of demolishing, an existing building.

Stephen McNeight from Wendouree Primary School has again been nominated for Teacher of the Year (Primary).

The Pleasant Street Bees lead the way in container collection. Photo: Sustainability Victoria/Supplied.

As a previous finalist, McNeight’s hands-on approach to sustainability and passion for the environment helped earn the school its 4 Star ResourceSmart Schools status.

McNeight transformed the grounds into a wildlife corridor with frog, lizard and bird gardens, a boardwalk, and wetlands. The school also has a Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden.

He created a flexible learning program called CREATE allowing students challenged by traditional classrooms to garden.

St James is vying for the title of Curriculum Leadership School of the Year (Primary).

Sienna Catholic Primary School helped to eliminate waste by renovating an existing building instead of demolishing it. Photo: Sustainability Victoria/Supplied.

The school is rated 3 Star ResourceSmart and has joined the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Raising Rarity program, becoming custodians of an endangered daisy.

Students monitor plant growth and share findings with partner schools.

This year, using budgeting and advocacy skills, the students aim to build social connections during the cost-of-living crisis.

In the category of Container Deposit Scheme Vic (CDS Vic) Excellence Award (Primary) Pleasant Street is again celebrating its finalist status.

St James’ Parish Primary School have joined the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Raising Rarity program, becoming custodians of an endangered daisy. Photo: Sustainability Victoria/Supplied.

A pupil group, the Pleasant Street Bees, have an enthusiastic approach to container collection and this earned the school its first ResourceSmart Schools Star.

ResourceSmart Schools is a free program led by Sustainability Victoria helping schools to deliver eco-friendly initiatives on campus and in the community, and to save money.

The awards’ 2026 theme is Our Sustainable Community.

“Our sustainable community celebrates teachers, students and stakeholders sharing knowledge, passion, and commitment to drive sustainability for a thriving environment,” said Sustainability Victoria CEO Matt Genever.

Award winners will be announced at a ceremony at the MCG on 11 June.