How does your school or teachers connect students to the reef to promote CARE?
Teach conservation and respect for the environment, the world's oceans and its interconnected ecosystems (i.e. coral reefs, mangroves, sea grass beds)
Students can list how their own actions can positively or negatively impact reef related ecosystems.
Students reflect on their own connection to the reef and marine ecosystems
Presentation by an marine related organisation
Which Reef Guardian School Program curriculum resources were used to help students LEARN?
Be a Marine Biologist for a Day educational resource
Reef Guardian School videos or webinars
Environmental days (World Ocean Day, Plastic Free July, Walk to School days, National Recycle week).
Eco challenge
Which Reef Authority resources were used to help students LEARN?
Reef Authority Educational Videos (i.e. Classification of Reef Creatures, Great Barrier Reef Aquarium YouTube channel, Reef Authority Youtube channel)
Which LEARN topics were covered this year?
Climate change
Water quality
Conservation
Animal features and adaptations
The Great Barrier Reef
ACT Marine Debris
Litter reduction in school (i.e. clean up proactive program)
Drain stencilling (e.g. positive nature messaging)
Litter free lunches (i.e. plastic free lunch)
Education on assembly, newsletters and posters (i.e. educate school community with a talk at assembly, newsletters and posters)
ACT Reducing waste and recycling
Bringing waste free lunches to school
Plastic straw removal or drinks with plastic straws
Make recyclable/reusable bags
Recycling program (i.e. start a recycling program at your school)
ACT Water conservation
School water audit and/or reduction (i.e. look at the amount of water your school uses and make a plan to reduce it)
Install water tank at school to use rainwater
ACT Reducing energy
School energy audit and/or reduction (i.e. look at the amount of energy your school uses and make a plan to reduce it)
Using/installing solar
Encourage students to turn off electrical equipment when not in use (i.e. lights, fans,)
ACT Gardens and habitat restoration
School kitchen garden (i.e. garden that produces fruit and vegetables for your schools tuckshop)
Aquaponics or hydroponics
Take an opportunity to immerse your class in nature
Take photos of the school's nature and learn about its importance
Aquarium set up (e.g. Red claw)
ACT Engage in a community/school challenge
In-school challenge (i.e. environmental education challenge in school)
External challenge (i.e. participate in external environmental challenge)
Presentation to whole school by external partner
Celebrate Environmental days (i.e. World Ocean Day, Plastic Free July, Walk to School days, National Recycle Week etc).
ACT Citizen Science Projects
Excursions to local waterway, parks, farms, reef
Who did you SHARE or collaborate with in the community?
Your local government (i.e. councils, municipalities, locality)
How did you SHARE your achievements, messaging or achievements?
Use of education resources provided by partner organisation (excluding the Reef Authority)
Partner organisation participation in ‘school led’ environmental activity/project
Publicise within the school community (e.g. assembly, newsletters, social media)
How did you SHARE Reef Guardian School Program membership?
Display RGS Digital sign
On share information via social media or word of mouth
How did your school Care, Learn, Act and Share to promote the next generation of reef STEWARDs?
Learn and protect cultural heritage values of Great Barrier Reef Sea country or your local culturally significant reef
Significantly reduce marine pollution
Complete at least one action from Care, Learn, Act and Share
Significantly decrease carbon footprint
Change the mind set of students to instil life long learning and positive nature behaviours
Students and families want to enrol in the school because of its great work as a Reef Guardian School
Implementing the Reef Guardian School Program had a positive influence on increasing wellbeing and attendance or sense of belonging for students.
Participate and promote the Reef Guardian School on a international level
Significantly increase opportunities for students to Connect, Care, Learn, take actions and share achievements.
Be an active Reef Guardian School by completing an annual action plan 2 years in a row
If a member of the community was to ask, the majority of teachers and students would b e able to explain what it meant to be a Reef Guardian School.