Rings of Sustainability
Cornish College has developed sustainable thinking dispositions, which are represented by the Rings of Sustainability.
Thinking is more than ability. It also depends on developing a behavioural tendency or ‘disposition’ that includes developing the skills to structure an orderly solution to a problem, an inclination to act on the issue and an alertness to many possible ways to address the issue or problem.
We believe that an important responsibility of schooling for citizens of the 21st century is to think sustainably – to have the necessary skills for a global world, to have the inclination to act sustainably, to solve problems and be alert to the ways we can all make a difference. We have designed our curricular and cocurricular programs around the four interlocking rings, each with a set of focus questions. We also use the rings to inform our day-to-day school operations and underpin our Cornish College Strategy Story – Toward 2030.
Natural sustainability
Do our students understand the importance of natural areas and our responsibilities towards them? Are they scientifically and ecologically literate, understanding the importance of biodiversity, the research on sustainability and the implications of new innovations on the environment? Do they understand how to manage their global footprint?
Personal sustainability
Are our students healthy mentally, spiritually and physically? Are they aware of their learning styles and how they learn best? Do they have skills to live effectively and affectively with others? Are they developing lifelong hobbies and interests to build resilience and wellbeing? Can they communicate clearly in English, other languages, and through Mathematics and the Arts?
Urban/technological sustainability
Are our cities sustainable? How are they supplied and how do they interact with rural areas? What are our roles and responsibilities as urban citizens? Are we technologically sustainable? Do we know where and how components are sourced and how they are disposed?
Socio-cultural sustainability
Do our students understand their own and other cultures’ histories, beliefs and values? Do they know how to make a difference to preserve these? Do they also understand their economic, political and legal systems?