THE Hunter's newest school is drawing 100 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources, as part of a suite of initiatives aimed at encouraging students to be stewards of the environment.
Catherine McAuley Catholic College Medowie foundation principal Scott Donohoe said the school was using GreenPower, which is renewable energy from government accredited sources.
It purchases 100 per cent of its electricity through renewable sources.
"We're built on a greenfield site and it's important for our community and students and families to know that we use practices that are sustainable," Mr Donohoe said.
"Our young people are incredibly aware of climate change and I think our sustainable approach and structures we've put in place here will really inspire future generations to be stewards of the environment.
"Very much as a Catholic school, that aligns with Pope Francis' [book] Laudato si in terms of care of the environment.
"We're very strong on stewardship, caring for land on which we sit and we're also really cognisant of the fact we're on Worimi land and that was evidenced through many thousands of artefacts discovered through the initial stages prior to building, so it's important we do promote stewardship and educate our young people about caring for the environment and inspire them to take that forward as the future generation.
"It sends a strong message to the community we're playing our part in tackling climate change."
He said it also complemented the school's bushland setting.
Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle chief executive Sean Scanlon said the diocese had looked closely at the "financial implications of green energy, as this is a key part of our sustainability journey".
He said the diocese had calculated using green energy would reduce carbon emissions by about 400 tonnes over 12 months.
He said it is part of a suite of energy efficient initiatives at the school including low artificial lighting densities and the use of LED lights, timers on lights and occupancy sensors, hydronic heating in the chapel, large ceiling fans to improve air moment, rainwater for irrigation and toilets and High Water Efficiency Rating Scheme (WERS) ratings on fixtures.
The school opened its second stage of construction at the start of this term, comprising the Science or Discovery Wing; the Technical Applied Studies (TAS) or Endeavour Wing; two basketball or netball courts and a turf oval the same size as a football field.
The Science Wing comprises general purpose science demonstration teaching classrooms, practical laboratories and a teaching laboratory.
The TAS Wing features student design labs, STEM spaces, an art classroom and practical teaching spaces.
Mr Donohoe said the school was in the process of designing its third stage, which will house its library, learning support area or McAuley Hub and more classrooms.
He said it had been a busy six months since the school opened at capacity with 180 year seven students and 90 year eight students.
He said the school reached 180 enrolments for year seven 2022 at the end of term one and now has a extensive wait list. It will add another stream and be able to accommodate 120 students in year nine in 2022.
"We still continue to get interest and we're getting expressions of interest for down the track as well and have an expression of interest for 2029," he said.
"We're thrilled with their response, I think it's a great testament to the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese with their vision for Catholic secondary education in this area because we're now seeing their belief and that real need for Catholic education coming to life."
