Abstract
This paper discusses a secondary school education initiative focussing on environment and sustainability centred on a small urban stream. This initiative has passed through an engagement stage, involving the community and other schools, and is now being embedded in curriculum learning. A cross-curricular learning programme has been trialled and points the way toward new types of educational models within secondary schools in accord with opportunities offered by the new school curriculum. Moreover, these opportunities have wider benefits across the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors as well as within the community. These benefits include vertically structured place-based education, win-win partnerships, rationalising of local resources and leadership and networking. Further developments within the context of integrated catchment management are ongoing.