Classes cut early at Albert Park College as ‘passive cooling’ methods fail students

Albert Park College students have accused the school of “caring more about the environment than its students” after the eco-friendly, air-conditioning-free campus was forced to cut classes short because of hot weather.

A leading Victorian state high school, widely praised for its green “passive cooling”, cut classes ended early because the eco-friendly sustainable campus was too hot for learning.

Albert Park College sent students home 20 minutes early on Monday and slashed lunchtime by 20 minutes due to the temperature reaching more than 37C amid an extended heatwave.

A letter sent to parents noted that the decision was due to “the impact on learning in extreme weather”.

The school does not have air conditioning.

Rather, its sustainability statement notes that its “state of the art campus buildings” feature “recycled building materials, sensor lighting, passive cross ventilation and data collection of energy and resource usage”.

However, students said it was “a billion degrees” in the classroom and railed at the school “caring more about the environment than its own students”.

Albert Park College has been lauded for its environmental credentials. Picture: Supplied

One parent said she was “livid” at the decision to send children home early and the lack of adequate cooling.

“Air conditioning is against the school’s ‘green policy’,” she said.

“We would love to hear the reaction if government pulled air conditioning from public service offices. I’m stunned that kids are having their school day cut short and missing out on valuable lesson time because of this.”

The incident mirrors an episode of Aussie sit-com Upper Middle Class Bogan where the Bright family struggles to stay cool with a passive cooling system.

Melbourne has experienced a run of hot weather with temperatures passing 37C. Picture: David Crosling

Students created a change.org petition to rail about the “unbearable heat conditions within our classrooms”.

“As we endure an intense heatwave, we find ourselves in a school with no air conditioning and fans that barely function,” the petition states.

“The extreme temperatures are not just uncomfortable — they are unsafe, and immediate action is required

“As an eco-friendly school, we understand the importance of sustainability and do not expect air conditioning to run constantly. However, on days when temperatures reach 30C or higher, there must be a system in place to ensure that students and staff are not subjected to unsafe conditions.”

Air conditioning is against Albert Park College’s ‘green policy’. Picture: Andrey Popov

A Department of Education spokesman said the health and safety of students and staff was its highest priority and schools implement a range of measures during warmer weather.

“Albert Park College opened in 2011 and is designed to use passive heating and cooling to maximise student comfort,” the spokesman said.

The department confirmed the school, which has high ceilings, fans and passive shading, acted in accordance with departmental policy.

Only schools in the state’s north located in climate zones of 20 and 27 under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme have air conditioning installed.

Many schools, however, install air conditioners from their own budgets or through fundraising.

Meanwhile, some Victorian schools are telling their teachers they can’t have air conditioning due to their classroom’s open-plan design.

“We’ve been told due to the open plan design, a/c is not possible, which is so enjoyable to hear from admin sitting in their a/c building,” one teacher posted to Facebook.

Another added: “we’ve been told the same thing and it is horrendous on hot days. Nevermind when you get two days plus over 30C”.

With the temperatures set to rise later this week, students stand to be sent home again as temperatures peak inside the classrooms.

Originally published as Classes cut early at Albert Park College as ‘passive cooling’ methods fail students