A short, practical course for every member of staff — the vision for 2026–2027, the initiatives running across the school, and the small everyday actions that add up to real change.
Welcome. As part of our whole-school sustainability programme for 2026–2027, this short course introduces every member of staff to what sustainability means at AISA, why it’s a shared responsibility, and — most importantly — the small, practical actions each of us can take to support it.
Sustainability at AISA means meeting the needs of today — a healthy, well-resourced learning community — without compromising the world our students will inherit. In practice it’s about using resources wisely, reducing waste, protecting the natural environment, and building habits that last well beyond a single campaign or event.
Sustainability isn’t one department’s job. Every adult on campus models it and every student learns from what we do.
Make sustainability part of everyday AISA culture — woven into normal routines rather than saved for special days.
Primary and Secondary students are involved together across waste, biodiversity, water, energy and wider climate action.
The AISA Sustainability Team sets the vision and coordinates initiatives across the school. Student Eco Committees in Primary and Secondary run campaigns, keep the momentum going, and help their peers take part. Your role is to support and reinforce their work in your everyday practice — you’ll see exactly how in the chapters ahead.
This course exists because Ms Nastassia van Jaarsveldt, Chair of the Sustainability Committee, asked for it and supplied the resources and material it is built from. Thank you, Ms van Jaarsveldt.
Across the year, a series of connected initiatives run in both Primary and Secondary. You don’t need to run them yourself — but knowing what’s happening means you can reinforce them with students and point learners in the right direction.
Give clothing a second life. Donation drives and swap events keep usable items in circulation and out of landfill — a practical taste of the circular economy.
Students design and create wearable art from waste and recycled materials — creativity meets sustainability in a flagship student showcase.
Cutting single-use plastics and sorting waste correctly — including the classroom paper-recycling initiative you’ll meet in Section 4.
Planting, gardens and habitat projects that bring biodiversity onto campus and give students hands-on conservation learning.
Everyday habits — mindful water use and switching off lights and screens — that reduce our footprint across the campus.
A whole-school moment to celebrate progress and renew commitment — the punctuation, not the whole story, of a year of everyday action.
The thread that ties them together: each initiative is a chance to build lasting habits and awareness. The Sustainability Team will share the full year plan and exact dates — keep an eye on staff notices so you can flag events to your students in good time.
This is the heart of the course. None of these actions is difficult or time-consuming on its own — but multiplied across hundreds of staff and students, every day, they add up to measurable change. These are the habits we’re asking every member of staff to adopt and model.
Use the designated paper-recycling box — and make sure paper goes in the correct box rather than the general bin. (Full detail in Section 4.)
Think before you print. Share digitally, print double-sided, and only print what genuinely needs to be on paper.
When a room, projector or screen isn’t in use, switch it off — including when your class leaves for break, lunch or the end of the day.
Choose reusables where you can — a refillable bottle and cup instead of single-use plastics — and encourage students to do the same.
Turn taps off fully and report drips or leaks so they can be fixed quickly. Small savings scale across a whole campus.
Students copy what they see adults do. Narrating your own small choices is one of the most powerful teaching tools you have.
One person switching off one screen saves a little. Everyone doing it, every day, saves a lot. That’s the whole idea: individually small, collectively significant.
A colleague says, “Sustainability is really the Eco Committee’s thing — it’s not part of my role.” What’s the most accurate response?
Which statement best captures the “small actions, collective impact” idea at the centre of this course?
Our first immediate, whole-school action. Every classroom should have a clearly labelled, temporary box specifically for recyclable paper, while we work towards a more permanent recycling system across the campus.
The goal is not only to collect paper. Please introduce the box to your students and explain why it exists rather than simply putting a bin in the corner. When students understand the purpose, the habit sticks.
“One piece of paper may seem insignificant — but hundreds of students making the same small choice every day creates measurable change.”
The message we want students to understand
Place the designated paper box where it’s easy to reach, clearly labelled so paper doesn’t end up in the general bin.
Take a few minutes to discuss why paper is separated and what happens when a whole school recycles together.
Reinforce it gently and consistently. The aim is developing habits and awareness — not a one-off reminder.
What goes in: clean, dry paper — worksheets, notes, printed handouts, scrap paper. Keep out: food-soiled paper, tissues, and anything wet or contaminated. The Sustainability Team will confirm collection details and any campus-specific guidance.
Whatever your role at AISA — teaching or non-teaching — you are part of making sustainability normal here. Five simple expectations:
Let students see you recycle, switch things off, and choose reusables. Actions teach louder than posters.
Weave the paper box, switch-off habits and current campaigns into everyday routines and conversations.
Give the student Eco Committees your backing — share their notices, make space for their activities, celebrate their wins.
Invite students into swaps, Junk Kouture, garden projects and Earth Day — participation builds ownership.
The aim is for sustainability to be part of everyday life at AISA — not something that only happens during special events.
A paper-recycling box is delivered to your classroom. What’s the best way to launch it?
Your class heads out for lunch and the room will be empty for 45 minutes. What’s the sustainable habit?
The Secondary Eco Committee launches a Clothing Swap and asks staff to help spread the word. What’s the best response from you?
Please confirm your acknowledgement of the sustainability practices expected across AISA.