When Brighton Council rolled out the Food Organic Garden Organic (FOGO) service to residents in 2021, they also offered all schools in the area a free FOGO service for leftover lunch scraps and garden waste. St Paul’s Catholic School was one of the first schools to adopt FOGO, and are now so successful in separating their organic waste they’ve just added a second FOGO bin as their first one was often full.

Their Principal, Joanne Clark, revealed the secret of their success. “We have FOGO caddies in every classroom and the whole class, working in pairs, take turns emptying it every day into the FOGO wheelie bin after fruit break. This task, even though it’s so small, gives students the chance to feel useful and capable, which in turn develops their self-confidence. By sharing this activity amongst all classmates, they also learn how teamwork makes tasks easier.”

Mrs Clark also noted that classroom FOGO caddies and recycling bins have helped teachers introduce curriculum-based topics such as natural resources and how to look after them.

“Our school has always encouraged environmental stewardship – we all have a role in protecting God’s handiwork and caring for our common home. Teaching students about our reliance on Earth’s natural resources, while also providing them with daily opportunities to help conserve these resources by recycling and composting (via FOGO), helps our students not just develop a deeper understanding of the topic but also practical skills and hope.” Brighton Council’s Waste Education Officer, Gwen Harper, visits St Pauls regularly to talk with kids, teachers and parents about FOGO, composting and food waste, as well as providing curriculum-linked activities and lesson plans.

“St Pauls has done an amazing job teaching their students how they can make a positive difference, which in turn grows confidence and an understanding of how their actions affect the world around them,” said Ms Harper. “They’re an excellent example of what great environmental leadership and faculty teamwork can do.”

To find out more about Brighton Council’s Waste Education support, or to request a school visit, contact Gwen at gwen.harper@brighton.tas.gov.au.