Information for teachers and school support staff

This page is for teachers, SSOs and school leaders supporting a YEC member this year. It outlines some basic information about the role you can play to help them get the most from their involvement. 

What are the benefits of being a YEC member?

• Since 1997, the YEC has provided young people with a voice and opportunities to take action on key environmental issues facing South Australia, with the aim to achieve a more environmentally sustainable future. 
• The YEC is a joint initiative of the Department for Education and Green Adelaide and the activities are 100% funded, so there will be no direct cost to the school.
• YEC members will gain new networks, meet like-minded students from across the state, and receive ongoing support to plan and deliver their own environmental projects. This is a great opportunity to create change and make a difference.
  
  

What is involved? 

• For a full list of events and important dates, as well as what we would expect YEC members to be focusing on each term, see the YEC program.  Major events each have a member brief - a guide with photographs that describes and shows what will happen.
• Participation in the Council involves students taking part in sustainability forums, a two-night leadership camp and online discussion forums. Many of these events will take place during school hours in various locations in and around Adelaide. Parents/caregivers will be responsible for organising transport for the student to attend these events. A transport subsidy is available to students living >100km from Adelaide and we are sometimes able to cover the cost of flights for regional students. 
• The major commitment of the YEC is that members are expected to undertake a project at home, school or in the community on a sustainability or environmental topic of their own interest.  They can work on their own or with others. They are guided through the planning process and provided with a YEC staff mentor throughout the year. We would hope that families and school staff are also able to offer guidance, but are not expected to do the work.
• Your role is to be a mentor if they require support for a school-based project or general advice on their YEC commitments. They will be asked to present their progress to date at the final event of the year.
• ​Your student will get the most out of their experience in the YEC if they are able to stay in contact with you throughout the year to plan, implement and troubleshoot issues that arise. They will be allocated to a YEC staff mentor, so please encourage them to contact their YEC mentor if you are unable to assist.
• In order for students to take part, they will need to have permission and support from their school. You will indicate that you support the student's application for the YEC by filling out and signing the School Endorsement section of the application if the student is using the word version of the form, or by providing your contact details if they fill it out using the online proforma.
• We will maintain contact with you by forwarding on any correspondence that is emailed to the YEC member and their family.

Is this a Child safe program?
Yes. At YEC events, students will be supervised by staff from the Green Adelaide Education team. All staff are experienced student mentors, have Department for Communities and Social Inclusion Working with Children clearances, and have completed Responding to the Risk of Harm, Abuse and Neglect - Education and Care training. You can request copies of our Child Safe Guidelines and Procedures which include the staff code of conduct, as well as our code of conduct for children and young people.

For more information, you can contact us at info@yecsa.net.au