Scotch College joins Sports Environment Alliance as its first Foundation School Member

The Sports Environment Alliance (SEA) network continues to grow following today’s announcement that Scotch College will join the Alliance as its newest member.

Founded in 1851, Scotch College is the oldest continuing secondary school in Victoria. Blessed by the foresight and generosity of those who have gone before, Scotch College recognises a responsibility to well manage the land on which the school stands and the many physical improvements that have been built over time.

In committing to SEA, Scotch College Bursar, Ross Congleton, said the School hoped to gain from the knowledge of other institutions and also share “what we have learned on our journey too”.

Ross added that the aims of SEA corresponded to the School’s pursuit of reducing its environmental footprint, and a commitment was made to join SEA’s network once an alignment of ideas was identified.

“Scotch College has undertaken a number of positive environmental initiatives over recent years, however, we see a co-operative association with other institutions on the same journey as both an opportunity to learn from and to contribute our experience to assist the good work of others,” Ross said.

“Being a school with many sporting fields and facilities, we have adopted a significant rainwater harvesting project, transitioned our grounds to drought-tolerant grasses and other plants. We have also pursued energy efficient lighting, linking these and other systems to a campus-wide building control system.

“In the pursuit of reducing our environmental footprint, the reduction of waste generated within the School is the next focus.”

SEA Executive Director, Dr. Sheila Nguyen, said Scotch College had an important role to play in developing and fostering young leaders who will assist in limiting sport’s impact on the environment in the future.

“We are pleased to welcome Scotch College to our family,” Dr. Nguyen said.

“We strive to protect the very future that our young people need, and as a school representing young leaders, it makes sense to get them, and other schools, involved in the conversation of how we can do this together.

“They have undergone their own transformation into a clean energy space of learning and play. We are proud to welcome them as our very first Foundation School Member, and we believe they will contribute to the knowledge shared and the reach of our membership.”

Stay tuned to the Sports Environment Alliance website and its social media platforms – Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – for more information on initiatives involving Sports Environment Alliance and Scotch College in the coming months.