Sustainability

At ABA, we are building the case for a ‘reflexive’ localisation process that facilitates school access to community and traditional knowledge, initiatives and expertise as well as to local ecosystems, increasing both the cultural relevance of the curriculum and putting us firmly on the road to sustainability.

The aim is to create a conversation around the efficacy and merits of local community knowledge and technologies and how these may complement the best developments of modern science and technology with the aim of finding the most sustainable solutions to both local and global issues.

3 clubs - EcoSoc, Eco Rangers, Eco Warriors

ES Eco Rangers

The Eco Rangers, a dedicated group of elementary students from grades 1 to 5, focus on sustainability and environmental action. They engage in hands-on projects that impact both the school and the wider community, learning about the importance of keystone species and concepts like "trophic cascades." They promote recycling by working with older students to improve waste management and are actively involved in planting flowers and creating bee habitats to support pollinators. With projects like a badge design competition and the Oryx Art contest, they inspire others to adopt sustainable practices and protect native wildlife

MS Eco Warriors

The Middle School Eco Warriors meet regularly to lead sustainability efforts within the school. They created recycled paper and designed paper collection boxes for each classroom, monitoring and sorting them throughout the year. To raise awareness, they developed a slideshow educating students on the proper use of the large recycling bins. Additionally, they organized a clothing drive, with donations split between families in need in Kenya and repurposing the remainder into banners, flags, and other cloth-based art, further promoting sustainability and resourcefulness.

HS Eco Soc 

The High School EcoSoc plays an active role in promoting sustainability within the school and beyond. A delegation regularly attends the Sustainability Fair, having previously won for innovative ideas focused on local environmental impact. The group actively promotes International and National Environmental Days, including World Cleanup Day, Omani Tree Day, Earth Day, and World Environment Day. Fundraising efforts for the Environment Society of Oman (ESO) have been successful, raising significant amounts to support environmental causes. Ongoing biodiversity projects include tree planting around the campus and contributions to the outdoor classroom initiative. EcoSoc is also deeply involved in the school-wide recycling program, improving visibility, conducting surveys on recycling habits, and contributing to the Sustainable MESAC Initiative, helping to foster a strong recycling culture among students.

 

 

 

Strategic Vision

To nurture and promote a culture of conscious sustainable practices, environmental literacy and citizenship adapted to the local context for the betterment of all.

Moving towards sustainability (as part of a more detailed Road Map to Sustainability at ABA). All that we have done and currently do:

EcoCommittee & Eco Groups: Staff and student involvement, focusing on sustainability initiatives and local environmental events. Regular meetings drive projects across all school sections.

Local Partnerships: Strong ties with local experts like Mr. Ali Abdullatif and the Oman Botanical Garden to promote native biodiversity. Collaborations include planting trees, outdoor classroom projects, and mangrove health studies at Qurum Nature Reserve.

Biodiversity: Ongoing projects include planting culturally relevant and native trees, creating a food forest, and establishing a tree nursery to support local ecosystems and provide habitat around the school.

Recycling & Composting: A school-wide recycling initiative with Plasbin, including new recycling bins, improved student engagement, and positive results during MESAC events.

Renewable Energy: A solar energy project is underway, with plans to meet 50% of the school’s energy needs. Students have been integral to this process, contributing to feasibility studies and tender evaluations.

Sustainable Curriculum: Collaborating with curriculum coordinators to integrate sustainability topics across all grade levels and enhance environmental literacy through field trips and local conservation efforts.

Major Projects in Development:

  • Expanding the food forest and terracing around the school.
  • Establishing controlled food production systems like aquaponics and hydroponics.
  • Initiating green walls to improve air quality and reduce temperatures.
  • Participating in invasive species cleanups and field trips to Qurum Nature Reserve.
  • Exploring a Wadi habitat restoration project adjacent to the school.

Future Plans: Restart the Inter Schools Eco Network and explore membership with the Alliance for Sustainable Schools (TASS) to broaden collaboration and sustainability efforts.

The Sustainability Roadmap 2028* is organised around the four branches (Learning and Sharing, People, Planet, and Campus). Each branch includes numerous leaves with specific statements that are organised within three categories:

1. TARGET/GOAL | Specific level of resource or impact improvement within a set time frame.

2. STANDARD | Operational standards guiding school-wide approach and actions.

3. COMMITMENT | A statement of commitment or recommendation for future research in areas where there was not enough information to set a specific target or a specific statement of support towards an approach or action.

 

Mr Pinkard's Grade 4 Outdoor Classroom 

Mr. Pinkard's outdoor classroom project allows students to collaborate with various stakeholders while learning about local trees, climate, and sustainable building practices. They consider factors such as water supply, wind direction, and plant selection, integrating key elements of the math curriculum, particularly measurement. Mr. Pinkard's class has begun planting and has secured resources to ensure the project's continuation beyond this school year.

HS Save Water Club

The club has organized several bake sales that engaged both primary and secondary students. It also coordinated a beach cleanup in collaboration with the Move Green Organization and the French Centre of Oman. Additionally, posters and infographics promoting water conservation have been displayed around ABA, along with a 5-liter campaign challenge to raise awareness about water usage in the community. The club looks forward to building on these initiatives and making an even greater impact in the future.

ABA Oman International School

is the LEADING INTERNATIONAL IB Continuum School in Oman

ABA is the first international school in Muscat to offer three levels of the International Baccalaureate programme - the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the Diploma Programme (DP) - the gold standard in University preparation.