Sustainable Schools
The Sustainable Schools Program brings sustainability to life in the classroom with free, hands-on, engaging incursions for early learning, primary and secondary students. Each session is led by passionate sustainability educators who deliver onsite, age appropriate, interactive learning experiences that spark curiosity and inspire action.
The Sustainable Schools Program is run in Semester One (March to June) and Semester Two (July to November) of the school year. Hume Early learning centres, primary schools and secondary colleges can apply each round through the SmartyGrants portal. Priority is given to schools that have received minimal support from Council services, with a focus on government funded schools incursions may change each semester depending on educator availability and demand.
Sustainable Schools applications are open twice a year during February to March and June to July.
- Sustainable Schools semester 1 2026 applications have now closed.
- Our next application round will open in June with a link to the application form.
For more information email environment@hume.vic.gov.au.
Past incursions
Biodiversity incursions
iNaturalist – Students learn about citizen science by taking and sharing photos of wild plants and animals to help identify species worldwide.
Birds of Hume - Students discover some of the 170+ local species through a hands-on bird ID and ecology session, and school grounds bird survey.
Ponding – Students explore waterways, learn about aquatic life and investigate water bugs up close to assess creek health.
Sustainability incursions
Student Environmental Leadership – Students tackle a real school sustainability challenge while building skills in leadership, planning, communication, and creating lasting change.
Wildlife Shelters and Habitat – Students learn what wildlife needs to thrive through a habitat game and build an insect hotel to support urban biodiversity.
Farm to Fork - A hands-on seed to plate journey where students explore germination, learn where food comes from, and plant a seasonal seed to take home.
Waste incursions
Recycling - A fun, practical session where students learn how recycling works and how to do it correctly at school and at home..
Composting - Students dig into the world of composting and learn how to set up and care for a compost system.
Teachers Environment Network (TEN)
If you are a teacher in Hume and interested in the environment, subscribe to our Teachers' Environment Network by emailing environment@hume.vic.gov.au.
The network offers:
- Free professional development each term, providing teachers with new approaches to engage students on a range of sustainability topics.
- A way to connect with other teachers and learn about local schools’ environmental initiatives.
- Even if you can’t make it to all of our events, you will find the emails and information provided very useful.
Other sustainability education resources for schools
Merri Creek Management Committee (MCMC)
Merri Creek Management Committee (MCMC) projects provide schools with engaging and diverse environmental education opportunities to learn about the native flora and fauna of the Merri Creek catchment in the northern suburbs of Melbourne and beyond.
CERES Sustainability Hub
The hub offers loads of teaching resources, inspiring stories on what other schools are doing and much more.
Cool Australia
A vast range of award-winning education for sustainability resources linked to the school curriculum.
Planet Ark
Loads of great resources for you to engage your school through National Recycling Week, Schools Tree Day and much more.
Ecolinc
A range of biodiversity-related activities available online and a free app to identify native grassland plants and animals, including curriculum materials for the Volcano Dreaming mural.
Yarra Valley Water student resources
A range of educational resources for schools for primary and secondary levels.
Melbourne Water learning resources and tours
Free educational resources focusing on water and the water cycle, Melbourne’s local waterways, and environmental conservation – for a variety of ages and learning formats. You can also book a guided tour to one of their sites.
Australian Organic Schools
Access free, easy-to-use school garden resources suitable for primary and middle years throughout Australia.
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program
The SAKG program offers teaching resources to support the delivery of pleasurable food education in primary schools.
Environmental Education in Early Childhood
This not-for-profit organisation provides provides support, resources and professional development in relation to Education for Sustainability in the Early Years.
Environment Education Victoria
Environment Education Victoria (EEV) is the professional association of educators for sustainability. EEV promotes the development of environmental education and sustainable behaviour change.