LANDFILL CO-MINGLED RECYCLING PAPER + CARDBOARD

ESG stands for Environment, Social and Governance, and the statement outlines the way in which the school and members of its community can contribute and transition to more sustainable practices (E); it ensures that as an organisation we care for the health and wellbeing of our own community, and those of the planet, by, for example, following a modern slavery policy and addressing inequities (S); and holds us accountable to the highest standards of ethics and integrity as an institution (G).

The statement also outlines the way in which we can contribute to some of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including Quality Education, Good Health and Wellbeing, Gender Equality, Reduced Inequalities, Responsible Consumption and Production, and Climate Action.

People will recognise that St Margaret’s already focuses on many elements included in the ESG Statement – and has for some years. However, the document brings together all the great work being done in all these areas and viewing it through the one lens. Importantly, in the future, measurable outcomes will be determined against the goals and actions of the document.

Some of the outcomes will be longer term, for example, transitioning to lower carbon options with the future purchase of motor vehicles, while others can more easily be enacted, such as the refining of our waste recycling strategies. Soon, students will see the options for four different types of bins around the campus where they can dispose of various types of rubbish, which will be an educative process in itself.

In 2022, the school’s Environmental Committee enjoyed the enthusiastic participation of almost 60 students across Years 6 to 12, and Environmental Committee Captains were introduced as formal leadership positions. The committee hosted a Clothing

Drive, aimed at reducing the impact of consumerism and fast fashion, organised a coffee scrub workshop, where coffee grounds from M’s Café were repurposed, and implemented the Containers for Change bins to encourage recycling and reduce our landfill waste. Teachers and senior leadership will work closely with the committee to collaborate on the ESG environmental goals to further incorporate the student voice.

Socially, everything we do at the school is underpinned by a commitment to student wellbeing – and this will, of course, continue and, importantly, be ever vigilant and responsive to the pulse of society and new issues that arise as the world changes.

St Margaret’s remains committed to its Reconciliation Action Plan and the advancement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is also committed to understanding potential modern slavery risks to ensure there is no slavery or human trafficking taking place across its operations and/or supply chains. The school will also continue to develop its already well-established culture of philanthropy and social responsibility to address disadvantage in our communities.

The adoption of an ESG Statement articulates with the school mission to prepare confident, compassionate, capable women able to contribute to a global community and aligns with the philosophy of our founders, the Society of the Sacred Advent, to ‘educate young women for an empowered future that contributes to the common good’.