TAFE Queensland Robina Campus
EN-3: Student Life

Robina Campus Sustainability Committee oversees campus and community engagement. Terms of reference were established. The committee includes 6 students and 6 staff (educators and non-educators). The Committee's aim is to drive projects, processes, and campaigns focused on supporting and enhancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as they apply to all aspects of the Robina Campus operations.

After the first 12 months of operation, the Sustainability Committee is being reviewed as sustaining student engagement was difficult to maintain. The review will look at other ways to connect with students to assist with meeting the aim of the Robina Campus Sustainability Committee. One idea is to form student working groups for short-term projects and then assist the students in promoting the different initiatives to their fellow students and the broader community when appropriate.

A sample of activities driven by the Robina Campus Sustainability Committee is attached.

Robina Campus has partnered with the RABA Urban Farm to provide opportunities for staff and students to understand organic agriculture and sustainable food systems. Organic waste from our composter not used on our own herb gardens is sent to the farm for use on our allocated garden plot.

The Level 4 Restaurant Terrace garden beds are maintained by early childhood and cookery students and used in cooking. Volunteer staff and students look after the plot at the farm. Educators take their classes out to RABA Urban Farm to work on the plot and to use the process for educational activities. As food production increases, the aim is to use the produce in our cafe and restaurant.

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The senior leaders of Robina Campus have attended and presented at a number of conferences, events, and workshops during the building of the campus and since its opening. Conference examples involving presentations include:
*The World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics 2022 & 2023
*International Conference on Sustainable Development 2023
*The Australian International Education Conference 2023

Other conferences pending for presentations include:
*The Sustainability Leadership Summit
*ACTS Conference.

A sample of other presentations include:
*Robina High Business Alliance Program (local)
*TAFE Directors Association Conference (national)
*Touchnet Podcast (international)

A major tour and extensive staff interviews over several days by the Danish Institute were completed to collect information for publication in the World’s Best Practice Guide Volume 4. Tours of the campus by other international groups i.e. Japan Tourism and Educators, have resulted in partnerships and generated revenue by hosting a networking event of 40 delegates.

The campus and its goals have been promoted heavily by all staff engaged in campus tours, before and after the campus opening. These tours (script attached) provided opportunities to negotiate partnerships to benefit our students. Just over 100 tours have been completed with outcomes resulting in:
*Increased enrolments from school groups completing tours
*Partnerships with local partners i.e. Seaworld to roll out apprenticeship and traineeship programs
*Community groups, local businesses, and professional associations using the restaurant and event centre for their own conferences, workshops, and meetings.
*Increased use by the community of all live training venues thus providing more work-integrated learning opportunities for students.

Robina Campus schedules a weekly lunchbox session focused on sustainability initiatives including information sharing, skill building, games, mental health awareness, and physical health. A number of the activities are aligned to themes i.e. Earth Day, Harmony Day, and National Eucalypt Day.

Robina Campus has partnered with the City of Gold Coast Council to run scheduled sessions to educate students about waste, water, and energy use. A major initiative has been the Active Transport Program which has included promotion activities and a specialist map of the area showing bus, rail, scooter, and bike paths. Staff and students can also earn tokens by using this initiative with discounts used at the Seedpod Cafe. A pocket-size map has been provided to every student.

In addition, specialist speakers and workshop facilitators i.e. Behive, Envirobank, have been invited to present. A community Christmas market was also held with local sustainability and ethical suppliers invited on campus where the Robina community could purchase their products. Students also decorated the area with decorations hand-made from natural products.

Robina Campus has a number of different cultures represented through our international students and our Adult Migration Education Program (AMEP). The diversity of our student population is celebrated in a number of ways, especially our First Nation (Indigenous) students.

Our 'Harmony Day' event held at the Campus celebrated our Australian Multiculturalism. The theme for this year’s event was Living in Harmony. Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. Activities included:
* Creating canvases for display at the campus
* Cookery students preparing cupcakes for sharing at morning tea
* Our Education Support Group 2 embraced Harmony Day with zest by dressing up in something orange and having a group share 'what's special in their culture'. This was a great way to celebrate our differences, which highlighted the key outcomes in our study of the diversity cluster.

The connection to the message of 'sustainability is embedded into everything we do' commences the moment an individual walks through the doors with key messages around sustainability. Students, staff, and visitors are immersed in the atrium setting. Every level has been themed, from the ocean floor on ground level, through to the canopy of the rainforest on Level 3 and the sky on Level 4. Entering the campus, the striking projected underwater images on the ceiling give a feeling of being immersed in a world committed to caring for the planet and sustainability. The appearance and feel of the campus positively impact health and wellbeing, and campus culture. The design fit-out, artworks by a local Indigenous artist, and recycled timber are standout features.

In regards to the fit-out, the focus was to feature recycled materials and ecological finishing, including acoustic screens/partitions (such as Echo panel – made from recycled PET) to minimise noise, and paints, carpets, sealants, etc., low in volatile organic compounds making them better for the environment and people. For example, Interface (a carbon-neutral enterprise) provided nylon tops and rubber bottoms which are fully recyclable. Interface is the first global flooring manufacturer to sell all products as carbon neutral across their full life cycle.

Our approach to the fair and ethical treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (First Nation) is included, from our planning for the TAFE Queensland Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to our local RAP committee members coming up with ways in which we can implement actions at Robina and grow our partnerships. To start on this journey toward Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders getting a fair go and universal respect in our community, we have included:
• prominent display of local Indigenous artwork
• visual artists i.e. dance
• several significant rooms have been given local Indigenous names i.e. Yugembeh Theatre
• RAP artwork displayed prominently
• the events calendar includes Indigenous speakers talking about reconciliation
• short stories sourced about the inspiration of each level of the campus and the meaning to our Indigenous community
• invitations to community market events
• alignment to the Queensland Government First Nation procurement policy.

One of our local suppliers, SOBAH, is a purpose-led business that exists to raise positive awareness and promote First Nations' culture, arts, language, and history. SOBAH makes a unique tasting non-alcoholic craft beer. They ethically source their ingredients and knowledge. SOBAH promotes healthy lifestyle choices, social equity, and sustainability while breaking down the stigma of socialising sober.

As much as possible we have tried to create an immersive experience for students so that the sustainability message is all around them. The senses are stimulated, with the local environment created to be fun, informative, and interactive. There are three (3) interactive art pieces at the stair/lift exits. For example, you can hold the world, the globe in your hands. Our Early Childhood area includes an indoor play area and a simulated outdoor play area and a large learning space. We have commenced a community playgroup, where parents can connect through play, and build on the philosophy of community. The QR codes near illustrations and artwork are central in providing further detail to the viewer.

Other QR codes provide instructions and reasons for recycling along with the use of Bi reports on our bulletin boards and TV screens located on every floor of the campus. The screens are used to advertise campaigns like Containers for Change and upcoming events to engage and inform students.

Robina Campus has also run 2 different markets in its first year of operation. One market was at Christmas where local suppliers using ethical and sustainable practices were invited to sell their products. This event was advertised to the local community. At this time, students also collected natural supplies i.e. timber, gum nuts, and leaves to make decorations for the market space. The 2nd market was held mid-year with local sustainable suppliers invited. Other events focused on different cultures included NAIDOC week (Indigenous students), Zero Discrimination Day, World Pulses Day, and Onigiri Action. Through our partnership with the City of Gold Coast Council, a life-size 'rubbish man' was installed near the cafe entrance. This illustration drew a lot of attention from staff, students, and the community and served to stimulate discussion.

Creating a shared campus vision and culture to inform students and staff about the SDGs, has been key to achieving health and well-being, gender equality, and inclusivity outcomes. Staff are strong sustainability role models and support sustainability initiatives that engage students and enrich campus life. Increasingly students and staff are working together to come up with initiatives.

The attachment shows examples of the above initiatives.

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Robina Campus has focused on the following programs to help students learn sustainable life skills:

1. Every unit of study has been aligned to the UN SDGs with classroom activities helping students to gain the knowledge needed to implement a sustainable approach i.e. reduce, recycle, reuse concepts
2. Students learn about the Robina Campus building features and the range of sustainability initiatives i.e. solar panels, rainwater tanks, 4 recycling bin programs, composting, recycled timber use, keep items, transport strategy, no plastic policy, and paper minimisation, through classroom activities, weekly lunchbox sessions and signage via bulletin boards, TV screens and illustrations such as the 'Recycled Man' (see attached images).
3. Students practise and develop sustainable employment and life skills through their training programs at 'live training' facilities including making connections with the community.
4. Students learn to understand the breadth of the sustainability work by participating in scheduled well-being events, and listening to guest speakers about gender equity, our First Nations' culture, and social equity.

By embedding sustainability into everything we do at the campus, students are not only gaining the technical skills of their specific industry area of study in preparation for employment, but also have the opportunity to connect, engage, and develop a range of life skills focused on sustainability goals. We have adopted the broader definition of sustainability to not only protect the planet but improve the lives and prospects of our students, staff, and community.

Each individual course unit has been reviewed to align with the SDGs and understand how commitment can be demonstrated in training delivery. By embedding sustainability and applying industry-relevant standards and practices, educators can ‘walk the walk’ and ‘talk the talk’ with their students. Supporting educators to embed sustainability across all program areas delivered at Robina, ensures that every student is fully immersed into the sustainability culture of the community.

We are empowering students to be active global citizens. Our live training facilities focus on responsible consumption and waste minimisation, giving students the opportunity to apply their newfound skills at various venues on campus, including the Green Fields Bar and Restaurant, Seedpod Café, Nature’s Escape (hair, barber, and beauty salons), TQ Fitness Centre, and The Anna Rose event space.

The live training environments provide immersive learning, particularly with an ecofriendly lens and ensure students graduate with not only the technical skill requirements of the job but a broader understanding of how to apply SDGs within a profitable business. The gym, café, restaurant, conference, and banquet centre are operated by TAFE Queensland, for profit, with staff employed to run the facilities and manage training in the live environment. This model ensures 100% commitment to the SDGs and the ability to positively influence training outcomes for students.

Local industry is supportive of the business model, understanding that it provides opportunities for inclusion and supports improved outcomes for students and the community. For example, in hospitality and cookery, the training areas were designed by teachers in consultation with industry, and the training operation is supported by partnerships with sustainable food suppliers and local hospitality businesses. The two industrial training kitchens and state-of-the-art demonstration kitchens, with above-bench cameras for live classes and remote streaming, are exceptional and respond directly to the hospitality and tourism industry in the region. Students learn eco-friendly practices with a focus on sustainability and graduate with an understanding of the SDGs and how to apply these to all aspects of their life and work.

A full year of weekly lunchbox events has continued the students learning about sustainable life skills.

Robina Campus has 5 different 'live training' venues - restaurant, cafe, event centre, hair, barber and beauty salons, and a gym. The live training environments provide immersive learning, particularly with an ecofriendly lens and ensure students graduate with not only the technical skill requirements of the job but a broader understanding of how to apply SDGs within a profitable business. The restaurant, cafe, event centre, hair, barber and beauty salons, and gym are operated by TAFE Queensland, for profit, with staff employed to run the facilities and manage training in the live environment. This model ensures 100% commitment to the SDGs and the ability to positively influence training outcomes for students.

Our students are entering into jobs at these venues; our approach is to provide pathways from initial studies into paid employment. Just one example is the story of 'Ethan' who studied with us and is now employed.

“I love my job, I love it here and I loved being a student at TAFE Queensland,” said Ethan a very satisfied student to thriving professional at the Green Fields Bar + Restaurant. TAFE Queensland Certificate 3 in Hospitality (SIT30622) student, Ethan Swinney, completed his qualification in 2022 at the TAFE Queensland Robina Campus. During Ethan’s study, he was provided with real-world training in the onsite restaurant, Green Fields Bar + Restaurant. His remarkable transition from study to employment stands as a testament to the exceptional training and real-world experience provided by TAFE Queensland. Read more: https://tafeqld.edu.au/news-and-events/news/2023/empowering-the-next-generation.

Robina Campus provides apprenticeship and traineeship training to students in hospitality, events management, hairdressing, barbering, beauty services, early childhood education, and fitness training. Even salon managers with apprentices are training with us. Read Krystal's story here https://tafeqld.edu.au/news-and-events/news/2022/salon-manager-levels-up-with-apprenticeship.

The partnerships we have formed with local business provides opportunities for students to complete work-integrated learning activities and work placement with them as part of their studies. These opportunities enable our students to show employers exactly what they can do and to also bring their sustainable practices into the workplace. Students are gaining employment from these opportunities.

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Creating a shared campus vision and culture to inform students and staff about the SDGs, has been key to achieving health and wellbeing, gender equality and inclusivity outcomes. Staff are strong sustainability role models and support sustainability initiatives that engage students and enrich campus life. Increasingly students and staff are working together to come up with initiatives.

Staff and students are given control through a joint sustainability committee which oversees decisions impacting student life and support initiatives such as:

• Orientation, guest speakers, and conferences to improve knowledge about climate change and SDGs
• Collaboration with ‘We are Behive’ who inspire recycling and a circular economy through delivering regular workshops, their recycling app, and a campus Behive Box for recycling items not permitted in typical recycling bins
• Physical and mental health and wellbeing programs through the fitness centre, health and beauty services, and healthier menu options
• Gender equality initiatives and reducing inequalities
• Clear recycling expectations, education programs, facilities, and signage and promotion.