Progress Workshop at Kerrimuir Primary School- Thursday 14thth May, 2026
Each term, The Eastern Alliance for Sustainable Learning (EASL) co-ordinates a workshop that aims to educate, empower and strengthen the networks of our ResourceSmart Schools educators and leaders. Cycling through EASL’s seven LGA’s, a school is selected to showcase their sustainability projects, in operations, culture and curriculum. Kerrimuir Primary School was chosen for term two.
Attendees were greeted enthusiastically by the school’s student green team – some adorning Bee Keeper outfits hinting at the highlights we would see on the tour later on! After introducing new schools to EASL, and a quick networking chat to connect with like-minded staff from other schools, we jumped into the school’s presentations.
Students divided into teams and presented on Food Waste reduction, Bee Hives, Biodiversity and Plastic Recycling at the school . They took the group through where they started, and how they built their initiatives from audit data. An important throughline for the success of this 3 star RSS school was applying for grants, leveraging partnerships and working together as a community. You can’t get donations if you don’t ask for them!
We then heard from the passionate Whitehorse Council Environmental Education Officers who shared biodiversity knowledge, and incursion information that was transferrable to other LGAs.
After a delightful morning tea of sweets, tea and coffee, we had a presentation from Chloe Horne from the Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS). She presented on strategies for schools to benefit from the fundraising with CDS and how to promote it to your community, including the School Leadership program that donation partners can access for their staff and students.
The green team then presented on Kerrimuir’s nature trail which has labelled plants and QR codes placed in easy to recognise places. The trail involved student voice, is adaptative and interactive, and teachers also participated in the trail so they feel confident using the outdoor space for education purposes. The showcase perfectly lead into the much anticipated school tour where we could try out the Nature Trail for ourself, while getting to see their veggie garden, composting, and Bee set up. The sunny Autumn day was a great setting to explore another school’s sustainability initiatives. Who better to learn from than a fellow school?
Coming back from the tour attendees enjoyed a delicious veggie filled lunch, while also receiving goodies like CDS signs, workbooks, recycled plastic pens from the school and a honey tasting. After networking, we then jumped into the last part of the day working on RSS module work, billing, or any projects the teachers wanted to use this dedicated time for. The EASL facilitators were available for one-on-one guidance and fellow teachers exchanged ideas with each other.
Resources, links, presentations, contacts and attendance certificates (that meet VIT requirements) were sent out to attendees to help continue their learnings so they can share the information back at their schools.
A truly inspirational and impressive day. Thank you to Susan Peterson, Micheal McLean, the Kerrimuir PS staff and the amazing student team for an inspiring day!
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Want to host an event at your school? Contact easl@info.com.au or your local RSS facilitator