Promoting ecological conversion and environmental sustainability

At Holy Cross, our students and staff take an active role in being stewards of creation and 'caring for our common home’.

Inspired by Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical, Laudato Si’, our school community understands that we have to respond to the environmental challenges of the 21st century with creative and thoughtful planning, education and concrete actions that can make a difference to the health of our planet, all people and all creatures.

Our commitment to being responsible members of Planet Earth is evident in our classroom learning and teaching, the prayer and liturgical life of our school, our resource and grounds management, and whole school planning for community initiatives that contribute to the betterment of our environment and our relationships with one another.
 

Our Holy Cross school community is involved in a range of initiatives that empower our students to support the ongoing care of creation through:

• Student Gardening Club
• Curriculum integration of environmental awareness and sustainability, as well as targeted environmental educational lessons for students
• Participation in environmental action and awareness initiatives ('Green Days') – including Clean Up Australia/Holy Cross Day, World Environment Day and National Tree Day
• Outdoor learning spaces
• Vegetable, herb and fruit gardens – known as ‘The Patch’ – where permaculture is undertaken
• Bush tucker garden
• Composting of organic waste
• Trash Free Tuesday
• Eco-friendly infrastructure – including water tanks, LED lighting and sensor lighting
• Staff environmental coordinator
• Staff professional development to support student and school environmental learning and action
• Physical ‘Acknowledgement of Country’ on school grounds
• Celebration of the ‘World Day of Prayer of the Care of Creation’ and the ‘Season of Creation’
• Earned Environmental Education Grants to further our environmental projects
• Active members of the Wollongong Environment Network
• A School Environment Management Plan (SEMP) – a tool that enables us to document, implement, reflect and celebrate our commitment to care for our common home as we respond to the challenges from Laudato Si’ to walk our own journey of ecological conversion

A significant aspect of our commitment to being sustainable stewards and responsible citizens is our infamous Holy Cross Gardening Club. Our Gardening Club is sponsored by Peabody who fund our resident ecologist and specialist School Support Officer, who facilitate targeted environmental education lessons in one class each week. Additionally, they teach and guide our students to maintain our well-established gardens consisting of native plants, fruits and vegetables during lunch times each Thursday.
 

For more information, visit the CEDoW Wollongong Environment Network