Strong showing for college at Sustainability Awards

STRATHDALE’S Victory Christian College has been named Curriculum Leadership School of the Year (Secondary) at Sustainability Victoria’s ResourceSmart Schools Awards.

It has been recognised for its environmental science pathways for students in years 9 to 12.

The pathways are purported to allow students to be directly involved in various environmental projects, including investigations into microplastics in fish from the drained Kennington Reservoir.

Another has involved breeding native fish and planting aquatic plants in efforts to aid ecosystem restoration.

For the past three years, students have also collaborated with various organisations, monitoring nesting boxes for the Brush-tailed Phascogale, tracking dam repairs at Kennington Reservoir and entering data into the River Detectives database.

“The collaboration with the local council on the Kennington Reservoir was (particularly) outstanding,” the judges said.

“This project enabled students to (learn) about leadership and how decisions are implemented while nurturing students’ connection to and care for Country.”

More than 30 schools vied for an award in Victoria’s largest celebration for primary and secondary school students, teachers and school volunteers taking sustainability action, with 10 schools receiving accolades.

Sustainability Victoria’s CEO Matt Genever commended the school for its passion and energy in protecting the environment.

“Victory Christian College has shown tremendous leadership to tackle real-world problems through its curriculum and is a tremendous role model that will inspire other schools to take action,” he said.

“Congratulations on achieving such positive impacts for the school and wider community.”

The list of winners can be found on the Sustainability Victoria website.