Enrolments surge

BILLANOOK College, an independent school in Mooroolbark, is a primary and secondary co-educational college from prep to VCE.
College spokesperson Margaret Lanyon says it is the primary area of the school that is experiencing a surge in interest; so much so that the college will be offering additional prep and senior primary classes in 2008.
The senior, middle and primary schools are located in a delightful natural setting either side of Brushy Creek which meanders its way through the campus.
“Perhaps it is this safe, environmentally friendly setting that has attracted additional interest from parents assessing their educational options in the region,” Ms. Lanyon said.
The college is a participant in the Sustainable Schools Program and its vision is to become an environmental leader as a model green school.
Both students and staff have worked together to create an action plan that aims to reduce the college’s ecological footprint and in doing so provide a sustainable, beautiful environment for future generations.
Ms Lanyon said the college’s commitment to the environment has recently been rewarded with two major achievements.
The Federal Government has awarded Billanook a $50,000 grant as a result of the college’s application to the Community Water Grants Program.
The grant is for the installation of a 100,000 litre water tank in the college’s vineyard, Cardigan Rise.
The tank will allow the collection of water from the Viticulture Skills Centre building and surrounding areas e.g. car parks.
After filtration this water will be used to irrigate the vineyard and one of the college’s sporting ovals.
Ms Lanyon said the initiative would save 3,870,000 litres of water a year.
“The next stage will be to implement a program that collects the water from all over the campus to use for flushing toilets and watering the gardens,” she said.
The college was also awarded the People’s Choice Award in the 2007 Ecological Footprint Banner Competition.
“The Environment and Art captains together with the ELFS (Environmental Leaders of the Future) designed and created a banner that they entered in the EPA’s Ecological Footprint Banner competition,” Ms. Lanyon said.
“The design of the banner spreads the message about the need for the human race to start making efforts to reduce its ecological footprint on the world.”
Billanook’s banner was selected in the final 18 which were then displayed at Southbank for 10 days.
People viewing the exhibition were given the opportunity to vote for their favourite banner and the Billanook Banner won the People’s Choice award.
Billanook College is at 197 Cardigan Road, Mooroolbark. Phone 9725 5388.