Sustainability
Reconciliation with God's creation is a key aspect of the Ignatian philosophy which underpins John XXIII College's mission and values as a Catholic school. In his most recent encyclical, Laudato si ('Praise Be to You'), Pope Francis has called all people to take responsibility for care of the environment. He says that this requires, among other things, a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. The College makes sustainability a key priority in all areas of operation and is an active participant with the other Jesuit schools of Australia in sharing resources, attending conferences and providing for sustainable management practises. The College is a forerunner in and a model of best practice in sustainable design and practice in our community.
Listed below are some of the activities and practices implemented by John XXIII College:
- "Ecologically Sustainable Design" (ESD), centrally controlled, temperature controlled rooms, that only cool/ heat when ambient temperatures reach particular temperatures, with insulation, door seals and 'night purging' of hot air where the auto windows work with the vent system
- Air conditioners that switch off when doors open
- Automatic/ motion sensor lights in some classrooms
- Paper, battery, printer cartridge, general recycling, in classrooms and across the school
- Use of IT where possible to replace printed paper worksheets
- Green waste recycling of lawn clippings and leaves on school grounds
- Large array of solar panels and investigating energy efficient lighting
- Electric service vehicles and bicycles as transport around campus
- Sustainability club: students involved in citizen science projects such as microblitz- soil biodiversity research, mildew mania- tracking barley fungus; learning about sustainable food production and cooking and household recycling
- Lunchtime whole school events promoting student involvement in sustainable practices at home and in the wider community: Clean up Australia, Earth hour, World environment day, Keep Australia Beautiful, Walk to school day, and periodic promotion of Cycle to school
- Water sharing with Challenge Stadium
- Weekly newsletter articles promoting parent awareness of sustainable practices
- Bike awareness and training.
"Praise be to you, my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with coloured flowers and herbs".1
1 Canticle of the Creatures, in Francis of Assisi: Early Documents, vol. 1, New York-London-Manila, 1999, 113-114.
