Reef Guardian Schools | Reef Authority

The Reef Guardian Schools program has been running since 2003, the program encourages teachers and students to take actions that help protect the Great Barrier Reef and its connected ecosystems. 2023 marked the 20-year anniversary of the program, more than 350,000 students have attended a Reef Guardian School since its inception.

Reef Guardian students care for the Reef and undertake positive actions within their school and local community that contribute to Reef protection and resilience. Through the Reef Guardian School Portal, schools share their actions and achievements and connect and network with other Reef Guardian schools nationally and internationally.

Schools can join the Reef Guardian School program for free through the Reef Guardian School Portal.

By being involved, your school will have a range of new ideas, opportunities and resources for teaching activities at your fingertips.

The benefits of the Reef Guardian School Portal mean teachers can:
select which activities their school will undertake as part of the program in that calendar year
share their actions and achievements
see what actions other Reef Guardian Schools are doing both nationally and internationally
connect and network with other teachers through the Portal Dashboard
access free educational resources through the Reef Authority’s ReefEd website, and
keep up to date with news and events from the Reef Education team.

To learn more about the Reef Guardian School Program and how your school can get involved, visit the Reef Authority's Reef Guardian School Portal, email reefguardians@gbrmpa.gov.au or download the Reef Guardian Schools Prospectus.

Resources for each year level and by theme

These are curriculum-linked teaching materials specifically developed to be integrated in school learning as science-focused units.

There are units for each year level – from early learning to grade 12 – making it an easy resource for teachers to utilise.

Teachers can explore all resources by topic, including coastal ecosystems, endangered species, extreme weather, the Great Barrier Reef, Indigenous use, marine debris, responsible reef practices, climate change, tourism and water quality.

To access resources, visit our new interactive Reef Guardian School portal.

Care, Learn, Act, Share, Stewards

Reef Guardian Schools have a proud history of achieving a wide range of sustainable actions within their school and local community that contribute to Reef protection and resilience. These actions align with the CLASS pillars of Reef guardianship (Care, Learn, Act, Share, Stewards):

20 years of the Reef Guardian School program

Schools from all around Australia and globally are encouraged to join the program and enable the next generation of young leaders to become stewards of the Reef.

All schools, no matter where they’re located, can have some positive impact on the Great Barrier Reef and other coral reefs around the world.

Marine ecosystems are all connected in some way, so even if your school is thousands of kilometres from the Great Barrier Reef, learning to live, work and play sustainably will help to protect your local waterways and the Great Barrier Reef.

A journey back in time - 20 years

Reef Guardian School Program Timeline
2003: The Reef Guardian School Program was established by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
2003-2009: The program grows to include several schools across the Great Barrier Reef region and receives recognition and awards for its innovative and effective approach to engaging and educating the community about the importance of the reef and the need to protect it.
2010: The program reaches a milestone with the enrolment of its 100th school.
2011: The program launches a new website and resources to support schools in becoming Reef Guardian schools.
2012: The program releases a new set of lesson plans and activities to help teachers educate their students about the reef and the threats it faces.
2013: The program celebrates its 10th anniversary and the enrolment of its 200th school.
2014: The program launches a new initiative called "Reef Guardians in Action", which provides funding and support for schools to implement projects to protect the reef.
2015: The program releases a new set of resources and materials to support schools in reducing their environmental impact and educating others about the reef.
2016: The program reaches a milestone with the enrolment of its 300th school.
2017: The program launches a new initiative called "Reef Guardian Ambassadors", which provides training and support for students to become leaders in the conservation of the reef.
2019: The program releases a new set of lesson plans and activities focused on the theme of "citizen science" and the role of individuals in protecting the reef.
2023: Reef Guardian Schools celebrates 20 years of the program.