What does this mean for our school?
At TGS we have constantly strived to provide our students with the most relevant and effective education that is required for success in the future. The world is currently going through a period of drastic change, however, there has been one considerable issue that has remained, and will continue to worsen in the future.
The issue is climate change.
Climate changes like global warming are the result of various human practices such as the emission of greenhouse gases. Global warming leads to rising temperatures of the oceans and the earth’ surface causing natural disasters.Natural disasters such as flooding, melting of polar ice caps, rise in sea levels and flash floods, hurricanes, wildfires, drought, excessive snow or desertification.
Recent studies have found that global temperatures have been on the rise for the past 40 years, with the 7 most recent years being the warmest. The years 2016 and 2020 are tied for the warmest year on record.
These are incredibly serious issues that demand action from our whole community to make a difference.
Considering this, we at TGS feel that we have a responsibility to our local community to aid in this effort by educating our students to be individuals who have the skills, knowledge and initiative to help save the world for future generations.
What does it mean to be sustainable at TGS?
To create passionate life long learners with the skills to preserve and protect the environment for themselves and future generations.
How will TGS make this part of our everyday learning?
We will approach this global issue in all of our learning as a whole school approach by focusing on 3 aspects:
Environmental impact
- Reduce energy and water use
- Reduce carbon emissions
- Reduce waste
- Protect natural habitats
These actions have an effect on humans and the Earth.
Health and well-being
- Clean and open air learning environments with plenty of oxygen and daylight
- Healthy learning spaces - indoor and outdoor
- Learning about food and health - how to grow our own vegetables
- Learning about water management in Sri Lanka
- Great physical education with professional sports coaches
Paying attention to health in schools has an impact on well-being and learning.
Environmental and sustainability literacy
- Reading, writing and spoken language taught to prepare students for their future
- Develop understanding of science and relationships with nature, including knowledge about plants, animals and environmental issues.
- Increase literature about the environment and sustainability
- Increase reading about current global issues
- Cross-curricular learning across all subjects rooted in sustainability
- Applied learning to Sri Lanka and the environment we live in
This education impacts student understanding and action and increases academic performance.
What is TGS already doing to be green?
Throughout the years TGS has strived to implement green initiatives.
Some of these are:
- Recycling
- Creating a ‘green playground’
- Learning among natural elements
- Planting and growing our own vegetables
- Learning about Sri Lankan culture and the environment we live in
How does this affect academic achievement?
Teaching students about sustainability and the environment gives them the tools they need to solve the global challenges we face now and in the future.
Research shows that
- Attention and concentration is higher
- Neural development accelerated
- Behaviour and attitude improved in and out of school
- Academic ability is increased
- Engagement in the curriculum is increased
How will we reach out to our wider community?
- Raise awareness within our community
- Implement sustainability throughout our curriculum - our students will become advocates of the green initiative.
- Establish a green committee that will consist of students, teachers, parents and members of the community who will organise monthly eco events and green initiatives.
- Invite members of the community into school to enhance learning.
Further useful information/references regarding this initiative
Gambino, A., Davis, J., & Rowntree, N. (2009). Young children learning for the environment: Researching a forest adventure. Australian Journal of Environmental Education, 83-94.
Samuelsson, I. P., & Park, E. (2017). How to educate children for sustainable learning and for a sustainable world. International Journal of Early Childhood, 49(3), 273-285.
Davis, J. (2010). Early childhood education for sustainability: Why it matters, what it is, and how whole centre action research and systems thinking can help. Journal of Action Research Today in Early Childhood, 2010(April), 35-44.
https://www.teachstarter.com/au/blog/15-sustainability-activities-and-ideas-for-the-classroom/
https://www.centerforgreenschools.org/what-green-school