Does your school want to apply for a grant under the 2011-12 round of the National Solar Schools Program?

Need help implementing your grant?

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The Tasmanian Centre for Global Learning Sustainable Schools Support Service Project Officer can provide free assistance with:

• Contacts with suppliers
• Liaison with the DoE and Australian Government
• Applications and paperwork
• Incorporating the project in your curriculum
• Phone and email assistance provided state-wide
• Organising a project launch

Contact the SSSS Project Officer now to get help gathering the material you need for your application.

 Contact Us   |   NSSP update   |   What some Tassie schools are doing   |   Home Energy Audit Kit for loan


The Sustainable Schools Support Service (SSSS) is funded by the Tasmanian Government through the Climate Change Office and allows the Tasmanian Centre for Global Learning to assist schools to:

1. Research appropriate installations/suppliers and apply for grants under the National Solar Schools Program; and
2. Incorporate sustainability installations in the school curriculum.

It is our goal to ensure that every Tasmanian school accesses the Commonwealth Government NSSP funds for sustainability improvements that will make all of our schools winners.

There are a wide range of projects that can be paid for from YOUR SCHOOL’S $50,000 NSSP FUNDING, including the installation of a range of renewable energy generation, water and energy efficiency measures:

• solar power systems
• rainwater tanks
• small wind turbines
• small hydro power generators
• solar hot water systems
• energy efficiency lighting
• ceiling fans door and window draught seals
• ceiling, wall and floor insulation
• sensors, timers and thermostats
• automatic door closers and automatic sliding doors
• external window fittings
• skylights
• shade awnings
• smart meters and displays.

Project Officer, Margaret Steadman, is available to meet with schools in the Greater Hobart area and to give a presentation on the NSSP - the sorts of sustainability efforts that can be funded and the steps required. Schools throughout the state can contact Margaret for advice by email and phone.

Education Officer, Karen Reid, can assist with ideas and resources for teaching activities on water and energy conservation. A DVD with recommended teaching resources is now available.

The Department of Education has prepared a List of Preferred Suppliers under the National Solar Schools Program, established by a tender process at the outset of the program. This list satisfies the program requirements for Government Schools so that only one quote is required for equipment on that list, if you are a Government school. All applicants must still ensure that equipment meets the standards specified in the application documents.

To find out more, contact:
Karen Reid or Margaret Steadman
Tasmanian Centre for Global Learning
4 Battery Square, Battery Point, 7004
Ph 03 6223 1025 (Karen) or 0427 355 951 (Margaret)
Email: margaret@afairerworld.org or karen@afairerworld.org
 

The world's future is in our hands!

                        

July 2011 update

Schools can register now to apply for the National Solar Schools Program 2011-2012 funding round. If your school has already applied unsuccessfully you don’t need to re-register.

Applications will open on 1 August and close on 30 September, so call us for help now.

There have been changes to the program – it will close 2 years earlier than expected, with 2 remaining funding rounds, so it will run until 30 June 2013. Also there is a reduction in the funds allocated to the program. Multi-campus schools that have previously been eligible for $100,000 will have the maximum funding eligibility for $50,000, the same as single campus schools.

The most significant change is that schools located in remote or low socio-economic areas will receive additional assessment weighting to allow funding to be directed to the most disadvantaged schools, so if your school fits these new criteria you will have an added advantage.

We believe that, although States can change the level of funding to each school, Tasmanian schools will still be able to apply for up to the full $50,000, to enable schools to undertake really useful projects. Call us for help with your application.

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We now have a Home Energy Audit Toolkit (HEAT) available for loan

The HEAT provides practical tools and information to help householders and schools conduct a simple audit and discover easy ways to cut energy costs.

Each HEAT contains:

• Power-Mate - enables measurement of electricity consumption of all electrical appliances with a standard 3-pin plug. It is particularly useful for measuring the electricity consumption of appliances such as fridges, televisions, microwaves and computers and their standby consumption.
• Infrared thermometer - used to check for leaks around fridge doors. It can also be used for checking for adequate ventilation behind the fridge/freezer and for checking the effectiveness of ceiling insulation.
• Compass - assists in identifying: (i) the orientation of a home and (ii) suitably oriented roof space for hot water and electricity solar panels.
• Stopwatch - assists in determining the flow rate of hot water from showers and taps.
• Room thermometer - enables measurement of air temperature, hot water systems, fridges and freezers.
• Laminated instruction and information sheets x 13 - developed specifically for Tasmania, these provide instructions on how to use the tools included in the kit and suggestions for doable energy efficient actions for various appliances and/or activities.

For more information contact Karen, phone 6223 1025 or email karen@afairerworld.org.

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What some Tassie schools are doing

Avoca Primary School used their NSSP grant to link sustainability and education in conservation in three different ways.

1) The installation of rainwater tanks for use in the ‘Outdoor Learning Program’ as part of which all students help run a vegetable garden. The produce from this is used in a whole school cooking program and any surplus sold to the community. The students have learnt to collect seed, sow and grow the produce. Water from the tanks enables the garden to be watered consistently over the summer months, producing vegetables for the community. During the summer holidays the community is able to harvest the produce as needed.

2) Heating for a swimming pool with the installation of Sunbather Solar Heating. The school’s swimming pool is enclosed on three sides and, with the added advantage of solar water heating, they have been able to extend the swimming season from November through to April.

3) Installation of two .8kW Solar Panels on the roof of the school which are linked into the electricity grid to save on electricity use. The students will be able to monitor electricity usage and show the community that they are dedicated to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Orford Primary School is a small rural school set within the township of Orford which is located on the sunny East Coast of Tasmania. Having obtained an NSSP grant in 2010 the school chose to spread the money in three areas. As part of the conditions of the grant, the school had a 2 kilo watt solar panel system installed. To maximise financial gain, the school converted all existing lighting to energy saving lighting. As the school is located in an area that is often drought affected, the funding was also used to purchase two large water tanks which are used to maintain gardens to a high standard. The school employed the services of Water and Energy Savers. Due to the school's location and other factors our data is yet to be accessible on the web site. 

Bagdad Primary School used their grant funds to install twenty 175 watt solar panels and energy efficient lighting in all classrooms. The school also had three 23,500 litre rainwater tanks installed for irrigating the school oval. These are becoming part of the schools environmental sustainability program for students.

Gagebrook Primary School have installed a 5kW system of solar panels on the school’s roof and linked it to the electricity grid to make savings on electricity use. Next year, after the school’s building program is complete (including the installation of new rainwater tanks), the system will form part of students’ education on sustainability. Using the Sunskool website, an initiative of Storm Sustainability, students will be able to monitor information on power generated and used, and greenhouse gas savings to the school.

Snug Primary School used their grant funds to install energy efficient lighting, movement sensors and 225 Watt Solar Modules. They are implementing a program called ‘Take It Home’ for their grade 5/6 classes. This will enable the students to involve their family and community in the sustainable behaviours they are learning, with take-home energy auditing kits and workshops. The ‘Take It Home’ program is a collaboration between Hobart City and Kingborough Councils, Snug Primary and New Town High Schools. Its aim is to develop Primary and Secondary curriculum materials for the Home Energy Audit Toolkits. Waimea Heights and Kingston Primary will be piloting the toolkits. In addition, the Student Representative Council at Snug Primary have been working on ways that the Smart Metering can be displayed at the school, and how they can best use the data collected.

Molesworth Primary School has started by installing energy efficient lighting throughout both the school building and the Environment Centre. They have also had 18 solar panels installed on the roof of their new hall. Other schools visiting the Environment Centre to take part in their Sustainability Program are taken to see the solar panels, and taught about how they work and what they save. They will also have the opportunity to take part in energy auditing activities along with the students at Molesworth. Grade 5/6 classes also have a program called ‘Carbon Catchers’ in which they learn about energy usage in their own classrooms, and are rewarded for being environmentally friendly.

MacKillop Catholic College is doubling the size of their existing photovoltaic system and adding the new smart metering system from Powercom/Datacall as well as installing four 300 litre solar hot water systems.

Albuera Street Primary is focussing on photovoltaics and energy efficient lighting.

Catholic Education Office systemic schools are being managed centrally to further leverage group buy discounts. They are undertaking an energy audit at all schools to get the best mix of options for each school. Many of the systems are being designed into the Building Education Revolution, National School Pride, and Trade Centre building works. All schools will have at minimum a 2kW photovoltaic system, plus anything from solar hot water, heater timers, energy efficient lighting and shade awnings to water tanks and skylights.


Details from other schools will be added as applications are submitted and approved.