Sustainability cross-curriculum priority

The sustainability cross-curriculum priority is designed to build a deep understanding of ecological systems on Earth and provides ways to view and engage with environmental and sustainability issues in different contexts.

Sustainability learning is described through a set of organising ideas that focus students on:

• systems – developing an understanding of the ecological and human systems of the Earth
• world views – the way in which we view or engage with environmental and sustainability issues and perspectives
• futures – ways in which we develop and implement solutions for sustainability.

The organising ideas relevant for this investigation into water use and efficiency are listed on the right.

Organising idea 3

Sustainable patterns of living rely on the interdependence of healthy social, economic and ecological systems (systems).

Organising idea 4

World views that recognise the dependence of living things on healthy ecosystems, and value diversity and social justice are essential for achieving sustainability (world views).

Organising idea 5

World views are formed by experiences at personal, local, national and global levels, and are linked to individual and community actions for sustainability (world views).

Organising idea 6

The sustainability of ecological, social and economic systems is achieved through informed individual and community action that values local and global equity and fairness across generations into the future (futures).

Organising idea 7

Actions for a more sustainable future reflect values of care, respect and responsibility, and require us to explore and understand environments (futures).

Organising idea 8

Designing action for sustainability requires an evaluation of past practices, the assessment of scientific and technological developments, and balanced judgments based on projected future economic, social and environmental impacts (futures).