Sustainability LEADING

Meet Patrick Brabant, an ex-Lindisfarne student who started at the School in 2017 as a Year 9 student. During Year 12 he was appointed as the School’s first Sustainability Prefect. Just before he graduated Principal Stuart Marquardt offered him a position at Lindisfarne as the School’s part time Sustainability Assistant, which he eagerly accepted.

With a passion for sustainability, his role involves implementing and managing various projects that help the School become more sustainable. This includes working closely with key staff members, as well as educating and engaging students in sustainable practices. Join us as we learn more about Patrick’s journey and the impact he is making at Lindisfarne.

Patrick has helped to implement several sustainability projects aimed at reducing waste, conserving resources, and protecting the environment. These projects have not only helped to make the School more sustainable but have also served as an educational tool to teach students about environmental stewardship.

One of the school’s most significant achievements that Patrick has been a part of is the recycling hub, which has recycled over 75,000 items. The recycling hub is a central location for students and staff to drop off recyclable materials such as paper, plastic, and glass. The materials are then collected by a local recycling company, processed, and turned into new products. By recycling, the school is reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill, conserving resources, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Another successful project is the composting initiative, which has composted over 7.6 tonnes of food waste with the use of Subpods. Patrick explains “Subpods are an innovative composting system that uses worms to break down food waste into nutrient-rich soil. By composting food waste, the School is diverting it from landfill and using it to enrich the soil in the School’s garden beds. This not only reduces waste but also provides an opportunity for students to learn about the benefits of composting and how it contributes to a more sustainable environment”.

The return and earn recycling work is another project that Patrick has helped to reduce waste and raise funds for the School. Thousands of bottles, cans, and drink cartons are collected and returned to recycling centres, generating funds that are used to support school programs.

Finally the bush regeneration work in the Mahers Lane rainforest is another example of the School’s commitment to sustainability. “Invasive weeds are removed, and native trees are planted to restore the ecosystem and protect native plants and animals. 210 species have been identified at the Mahers Lane rainforest. Students have the opportunity to participate in the bush regeneration work through the DiscoverEd program, which teaches them about environmental stewardship and practical ways to help the local environment”. says Patrick

In 2022 Patrick won a trip to Hawaii by entering a competition with Hawaii Tourism and Sea Cleaners. Sea Cleaners is an organisation in New Zealand who do a lot of ocean clean up work and education in schools around the issues with plastic pollution. Patrick had to submit an idea that would help to regenerate the ocean. There were only two winners across Australia and New Zealand, so winning was a huge accomplishment for Patrick.

He travelled to the Hawaiian Island of O’ahu for one week, where the goal was to leave the island better than when he came. On the trip the group conducted multiple beach clean ups, went to local schools to talk about the work they were doing and how they could help make a difference. This was certainly a once in a lifetime opportunity for Patrick and one he is very grateful for.

The work Patrick undertakes at Lindisfarne and his commitment to the sustainability projects is nothing short of commendable. These initiatives have not only made the school more sustainable but have also provided educational opportunities for students to learn about environmental stewardship. By implementing these projects, the school is creating a better future for its students and the planet.