Energy Audit

Shelford Girls Grammar

By Noeline Rhode, Teacher

Background

Our students, as young responsible citizens and our leaders of the future, are concerned about the misuse of resources which leads to climate change. Given current press coverage, global concerns and debate about government policy, it was timely to identify areas of concern amongst students and to enable them to develop an informed action which will have local applicability. 

Shelford saw an opportunity for activities that empowered the Senior College Parliament to develop leadership and civic capacities in an active citizenship model, which included an energy audit, a student-led forum, the development of an action plan facilitated by the Senior College Parliament, and the creation of a succession plan for future Senior College Parliamentarians.

It was planned to involve the wider school community, including:

• Senior College Parliament - 13 students
• Senior School - 450 students  
• Parents
• Energy consultant - Mr Broderick Street
• Guest speakers
• Teachers.

Aims of the Event

The activities aim to provide student/staff with the opportunity to develop:

• the capacity to clarify and critically examine values and principles that underpin Australia's democracy and the ways in which these contribute to a fair and just society and a sustainable future.
• the knowledge, skills and values that support active citizenship and the capacity to act as informed and responsible citizens.
• an appreciation of the local, national and global rights and responsibilities of citizenship and civic life.
• an understanding of the ways in which citizens and governments contribute to environmental sustainability in local and global contexts and a commitment to adopting values, behaviour and lifestyles required for a sustainable future.

Event Preparation

This event stemmed from independent student initiative from our School Co-Captain.

1. Initial planning and proposal for energy audit received - 8 July 2007
2. Contact with Mr Broderick Street - 17 July 2007
3. Forum - 15 August 2007
4. Develop strategies and leadership succession -ongoing 
5. Publications - ongoing
6. Action Plan Forum - 7 August 2007
7. Energy Audit - week commencing 27 August 2007, then ongoing  
8. Evaluation survey and observations of changes in student behaviour and attitude to energy consumption.

The Implementation of the Event

The wider school community, including Senior College Parliament - 13 students; 30 participants in initial Student Forum.

Wider school community involvement: 450 Students; parents; regular dissemination of progress, results of the audit and strategies through the Shelford Newsletter.

Energy consultant - Mr Broderick Street.

Teachers: Ms Jules Aldous, Mr Marcus Roberts, Mrs Noeline Rhode.

Student Outcomes

1. Students commenced this initiative by gathering a range of information about energy consumption and sustainable strategies. These were discussed in the Student Forum and an information pack was distributed. Green ribbons signifying awareness of sustainable energy use were distributed to those students who attended the forum. Recordings of student opinions from the forum will be used to guide the topic for discussion at the Action Plan Forum.
2. Students will develop skills in conducting an energy audit; Mr Broderick Street, Consultant, has been commissioned to advise and conduct the energy audit and to mentor Senior College Parliamentarians in conducting ongoing energy audits.
3. Students have commenced the process of identifying energy use /misuse at Shelford; they will conduct an energy audit and purchase energy monitoring equipment through the Alternative Technology Association.
4. Students will develop an action plan to improve energy use at Shelford as a result of the forums and the energy audit. These will form the foundation of a design for the ongoing energy action plan for Shelford.
5. Students have developed authentic leadership by planning and conducting forums, and in organising resources and commutations with Mr Boderick Street. Current Senior College Parliamentarians will develop skills in conducting an energy audit and put in place a succession of leadership plan for future Senior College Parliamentarians to conduct periodic energy audits.
6. Students have commenced publicising the Student Forums and have distributed their Democracy Week booklet, The Challenges of Being a Sustainable Citizen, to educate the wider community about responsible energy consumption.

Feedback

Student report by Year 10 Senior College Parliament.

Democracy Week 2007 Booklet, Shelford Forum: The Challenges of Being a Sustainable Citizen. This is a compilation of published reference materials.

Conclusion

Although the initiative is in its infancy, the students have already demonstrated considerable interest, passion and commitment for the project. Our focus is to implement ongoing monitoring, awareness and reforms which are sustainable. Accordingly, the planning, discussion and implementation of various aspects of the initiative have been student-led to facilitate their ownership of the project and ultimately its continued success.