The Sustainability Victoria ResourceSmart Schools Awards recognise teachers and students leading the way in sustainability.

This year’s theme, ‘Legendary Legacies – what will you leave behind?’ underscores the impact of their efforts. 

Bank First is proud to continue our sponsorship of the Teacher of the Year awards, celebrating teachers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in sustainability.

Primary Teacher of the Year: Gill Davey, Sarah Chamings and Erin Salm, Epsom Primary School 

Gill, Sarah and Erin have embedded sustainability into the school’s curriculum and lead a group of 36 students known as the Green Magpies. Together, the teachers and students model sustainability practices at Epsom Primary School. 

The Green Magpies lead practical initiatives around the school like keeping track of bins, the worm farm and the vegetable gardens. The group shares sustainability information with their peers and last year even delivered a speech to the Minister for Climate. 

Secondary Teacher of the Year: Andrew Feher, Mount Lilydale Mercy College 

As Mount Lilydale Mercy College’s Sustainability Leader, Andrew has been instrumental in the school achieving its 5-Star sustainability rating. 

Andrew has a passion for mentoring staff and students alike, leading clean-up days, a revegetation program and innovative initiatives like bike maintenance workshops to reduce waste. Beyond the school grounds, Andrew’s students also grow food for a local community food bank. 

His efforts also contributed to Mount Lilydale Mercy College winning the Community Leadership School of the Year award for secondary schools.  

The Teacher of the Year winners have chosen to lead in partnership with their students, collaborating on every step of their sustainability initiatives. The result?

Students are genuinely engaged and have a sense of pride in what they have accomplished.  

The 2024 ResourceSmart Schools Awards highlighted the incredible impact of teachers, students, and their communities all working towards the shared goal of building a legacy of sustainability.