Australia's private schools are going green

It appears that Australia’s private schools are starting to embrace their eco-friendly side, with recent projects including the installation of solar panels, wellness centres and camp sites.

Corpus Christi College in Western Australia was one of the first to introduce solar panels, in what was termed a “no-brainer” by Vince Illegio, former business manager at the college.

“The college has had to pay out nothing, the 20% savings we make are being ploughed back into financing the solar panels, and then we will own them outright in five years,” Illegio said.

“Power prices are going up and these solar panels could last 25 years. It took just a week to get them installed and we stand to make huge savings.”

Dominic Da Cruz, the managing director of Perdaman Advanced Energy, said more schools are becoming more eco-conscious, with “almost every large school” currently in the market for solar.

“So far we’ve sold 100 kW size systems; now we’re getting interest for 500 kW and up to 1 MW,” Da Cruz said.

“There is also a suggestion that public schools will follow, with the Department of Education signalling an interest in the space.”

And the interest in sustainability isn’t stopping at solar. Presbyterian Ladies College in Perth is currently building a $10.5 million ‘wellness centre’ which has sleeping pods, a gym, yoga studios and an area dedicated to mindfulness.

Some schools have meanwhile introduced permanent camp sites in country areas, with Fremantle-based Eco Structures having seen an increase in orders for its semipermanent ‘glamping’ tents.

“With the recent hikes in energy prices and more pending, it’s no wonder schools are pursuing the use of solar power,” said Da Cruz.

“It means lower power consumption costs, which has obvious benefits for the environment and the community. Overall schools are trying to be more socially responsible and I’m sure we will see this trend develop even more.”