Our vision is to create a sustainable school environment where students, staff, and the community actively contribute to reducing our ecological footprint while fostering environmental awareness and education (SEP, 2025).
Together, we are creating a greener future—one that values conservation, promotes responsible resource use, and equips our students with the knowledge and skills needed to make a lasting difference in the world.
Sustainability is embedded in our everyday practices, curriculum, and decision-making processes. From waste reduction and recycling initiatives to environmental projects and community partnerships, we strive to inspire positive change both within our school and beyond.
Advocacy and action
Elanora Environmentalists, active since 2020
- Mission – 'Making the Elanora community environmentally aware.'
- 2021 Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Conservation Champions
- Keynote speakers at annual GC EcoMarines breakfast -- 2025
Education
- E-stem
- Change Makers
- Precious Plastics project
Raising awareness
- Weekly homeroom slides prepared by Elanora Environmentalists – since 2024
- Weekly sustainability messages in the Principal's update to staff – since 2022
- Sustainability bulletin board in the Hub – since 2024
Conscious consumption
- Canteen – multiple audits since 2021 to reduce amount of single use and soft plastics
- Cooking classes – sustainable packaging since
- School supplies – since 2025
- Refillable whiteboard markers instead of throwaways
- Microfibre cleaning cloths instead of erasers
Recycling
Through the dedication of our students, staff, and wider school community, we have implemented a range of recycling initiatives that help reduce waste, conserve resources, and minimise our environmental impact.
From containers and food waste to batteries, stationery, uniforms, and soft plastics, our school actively diverts a significant amount of material from landfill each year. These programs not only contribute to a cleaner environment but also provide valuable opportunities for students to develop environmental awareness and responsible habits.
- Drink containers
- Food waste
- E-waste
- Staffroom yellow commingled recycling bins
- Classroom paper recycling
- Batteries
- Pens and markers
- Soft plastics
- Uniforms and shoes
- Bottle caps
Removing litter
Three annual school cleanups run as House competitions – cleanups happening since 2021
- Clean Up Australia Day
- World Environment Day
- Keep Australia Beautiful Week
Sustainable landscaping and gardening
- Planting natives
- Replace non-natives with natives in the school grounds
- Planting Trees for the Queen's Jubilee -- 2023
- School Trees Day -- 2025
- Community garden
- Native beehive (acquired in 2025)
- On-site composting of food waste, green waste and shredded paper – since 2025
Connections and partnerships
- Regen Australia (supported our 2025 School Trees Day and other events)
- Sustainable Schools Summit (hosted in 2025, five schools attended)
- GC Sustainability Project (hosted in 2024, attended by representatives of community organisations, schools, elected officials, etc.)