2021 Annual Impact Report
Hillfield Strathallan College (HSC) has continued to focus on sustainability under a new Strategic Plan. The College has joined over a dozen other Independent Schools in a Climate Action Accelerator Program (CAAP), which was created for schools already engaged in whole school sustainability approaches. The CAAP program requires that schools develop a committed governance team that aligns with a whole school framework. HSC’s Strategic Framework places a focus on organizational culture, collective learning, and physical space, all centred around a compelling vision for Hillfield Strathallan College to be a leader in climate action.
The idea of a Whole School Approach is an enormous challenge in developing not only the Purposeful and Sustainable Learning Environment theme of our strategic plan, but also how that theme had to connect to learning, wellbeing and diversity and equity initiatives. No part of this strategies will be solved in isolation and everyone in our entire community will have to pitch in to achieve our aggressive sustainability goals.
In 2021, we introduced a new bus fleet with the most fuel efficient engine available, we also began investigating electric buses for the 2022 year. We ensured our purchases were done through the lens of sustainability, examples include our green lawnmower, sourcing local food sources and 100% sustainable classroom furniture we have purchased for our early education program
HSC also engaged in a campus master site and facility planning exercise which was completed through a sustainable lens. The plan addresses sustainable and efficient site servicing and programmatic use in alignment with building concept design, exterior educational learning landscapes and connected green spaces.
2020 Annual Impact Report
Hillfield Strathallan College (HSC) has continued its focus on the assessment and collection of data in generating a more reflective baseline particularly as it relates to local and extended student activity travel. HSC has been successful in capturing both internal and external activity charters as well as international travel with associated air transit through third party operators.
HSC has begun assessment and investigation into its school bus fleet renewals in keeping with its continued carbon footprint analysis, offsets and reductions. HSC has engaged in the process and forward development of the CAIS [Canadian Accredited Independent Schools] green school initiative to include the creation of a new national accreditation standard. The standard will inform member schools regarding organizational expectations, stewardship and movement toward carbon neutrality.
HSC has investigated significant offset potential through solar PV systems for its existing building stock. In alignment with our site and built environment, HSC is engaging in a master site and facility planning exercise to begin spring 2020 through early summer 2021. The process and final plan will be completed through a sustainable lens. The plan will look to address sustainable and efficient site servicing and programmatic use in alignment with building concept design, exterior educational learning landscapes and connected green spaces.
(This text originally appeared in the 2019 Annual Impact Report)
2019 Annual Impact Report
Hillfield Strathallan College (HSC) has continued its focus on the assessment and collection of data in generating a more reflective baseline particularly as it relates to local and extended student activity travel. HSC has been successful in capturing both internal and external activity charters as well as international travel with associated air transit through third party operators.
HSC has begun assessment and investigation into its school bus fleet renewals in keeping with its continued carbon footprint analysis, offsets and reductions. HSC has engaged in the process and forward development of the CAIS [Canadian Accredited Independent Schools] green school initiative to include the creation of a new national accreditation standard. The standard will inform member schools regarding organizational expectations, stewardship and movement toward carbon neutrality.
HSC has investigated significant offset potential through solar PV systems for its existing building stock. In alignment with our site and built environment, HSC is engaging in a master site and facility planning exercise to begin spring 2020 through early summer 2021. The process and final plan will be completed through a sustainable lens. The plan will look to address sustainable and efficient site servicing and programmatic use in alignment with building concept design, exterior educational learning landscapes and connected green spaces.
2018-2019 Annual Business Report
New on the scene to the SBI, Hillfield Strathallan College (HSC) has focused on the assessment and collection of data in generating its baseline. Operationally, school bus route and activity travel is a significant contributor to HSC’s carbon footprint. HSC is working to assess and implement enhanced school bus idling practice and policy throughout its fleet service. A large part of activity travel is provided through third party operators. HSC is engaging with its selected partners to capture this data through 2019 in an effort to better quantify its baseline for setting longer term goals and targets and identifying areas for improvement. Additionally, HSC has engaged in the replacement of 14000 fluorescent tube bulbs with LED to include exterior wall packs and security lighting.
