Facilities & Services Update: Moving Towards a More Sustainable Future

As the Facilities and Services Manager, I’m pleased to share some of the progress and plans that are shaping our journey toward a more sustainable and environmentally responsible school.

We are currently in the process of developing a comprehensive Sustainability Strategy. While still in draft form and subject to refinement, our working vision statement captures the ambition and values driving this initiative:

'Our vision is to foster a culture of environmental responsibility by promoting sustainability, integrating ESG principles, and cultivating an enriched learning environment that inspires global citizenship.'

This strategy is not just about infrastructure. It’s about embedding sustainability into our school culture, daily operations, and long-term planning.

Our Current Initiatives

Our most significant recent project is the grant-dependent installation of a 100kW solar power system, which will provide a considerable portion of the school’s energy needs. This investment not only reduces our carbon footprint but also educates our students on the practical application of renewable energy.

In past years, we upgraded all of the school’s lighting systems to LED, enhancing energy efficiency while reducing maintenance and electricity costs.

We’ve also undertaken a thorough carbon audit, and we are currently awaiting the results. This data will provide a baseline to help us understand our current impact and identify high-impact areas for improvement.

Water Conservation & Management

Water sustainability is a growing priority. We’ve been systematically identifying and addressing leaks across the campus and upgrading stormwater infrastructure to handle rainfall more effectively. These efforts are critical as we plan for long-term water resilience.

We’ve begun a staged installation of water tanks for rainwater capture, with a focus on using non-potable sources for irrigation and maintenance. In parallel, we are researching alternative water sources to reduce our dependence on mains water, particularly for non-drinking applications.

Building for the Future

Looking ahead, we are exploring the implementation of a Sustainable Building Management System (SBMS) to enhance energy monitoring and operational efficiency across all facilities. Sustainability considerations are also being embedded into all upcoming projects, with a strong emphasis on using sustainable materials and environmentally friendly treatments wherever possible.

Learning From Others

We are also drawing inspiration from leading practices in other schools around the country and internationally, such as integrating student-led sustainability initiatives, continuing to develop further outdoor learning environments that promote biodiversity, and collaborating with community partners to strengthen environmental education.

This is a journey that involves all of us, staff, students, and the broader school community. I look forward to sharing more updates as our Sustainability Strategy progresses and we continue building a campus that reflects our commitment to a greener, more responsible future.

Kasey Mitchell

Facilities and Services Manager