Written by Bronwyn
Clean Up Australia Day 2o2o is almost here!
Youth and Schools Clean Up Day is Friday 28 February.
The Teach Starter team will be walking the streets of Milton in Queensland to help clean up!
Then, on Sunday 1 March, is the official Clean Up Australia Day will take place right across the nation, and communities will become involved.
If you’re ready to get your hands dirty (figuratively, of course – gloves are provided in your packs), here are some ideas on getting your school involved in Clean Up Australia Day 2020.
Organising your Class’ Clean Up Effort
If you haven’t already, head straight to Clean Up Australia Day’s official webpage where you’ll find heaps of downloadable, free resources to assist in your preparation for Clean Up Australia Day.
Check out the 2020 Site Guide pack for info on risk assessment for your school-based site, as well as heaps of free Clean Up Australia Day lesson plans for primary classes.
Register your school and order your pack. This includes bio bags for collecting rubbish and gloves for teachers/supervisors. If your pack doesn’t arrive in time, you can buy biodegradable garbage bags and biodegradable gloves at Biome.
Don’t forget to nominate yourself as the Site Supervisor using this form.
What Your Students Will Need
Leading up to your event, chat with your students about appropriate protective clothing they’ll need to wear. As you’ll likely be going off the footpath, ensure they wear covered, closed shoes. As it’s still Summer, they’ll also need to wear a wide-brimmed hat and plenty of sunscreen. They should also bring water bottles along with them (you could transport these in a plastic clothes basket).
What You’ll Need
Prepare thoroughly by popping together a little kit of Clean Up Australia Day necessities. Here’s a suggested list of items:
- a mobile phone in case of an
emergency - tongs and heavy duty gloves to
remove sharp objects - first aid kit and instructions
- bins/skips for rubbish and recycling
(contact your local council or clean up) - sunscreen and spare hats
- antibacterial hand sanitiser
- a clipboard with extra Volunteer Registration Forms and copies of the Accident and Incident Report
- Risk Warning Poster and tape.
Getting the Community Involved
Looking for volunteers to help with your Clean Up Australia Day event? Why not invite parents, grandparents and community members along? Extra adult hands can be very helpful in assisting kids to collect rubbish and to talk to them about the importance of what the day is all about.
Ask volunteers to arrive fifteen or twenty minutes early for the event so that they can fill out a Volunteer Registration Form. Even if they’re registered online, a paper form must be kept for every volunteer. It’s also a great idea to hold an informal volunteer briefing to outline plans for the day and talk about general house-keeping rules!
Resources to Support Teaching About Our Responsibility to the Environment
We have a whole collection of Clean Up Australia Day Teaching Resources for you to access! Here are my top resources for preparing and reflecting on this great initiative:
After Your Event
At the completion of your event, your role of Site Supervisor still requires a few more things!
- Return the Volunteer Registration Forms to Clean Up Australia no later than 1 month after your event has taken place.
- Complete and return the End of Clean Up Report (this helps the organisation to prepare an overall annual Rubbish Report).
- Organise certificates for your volunteers.
- Print and present your school’s certificate!
