Sydney school principal implements student cleaning regime to build respect

Robin Chand, the principal of Chatswood High in Sydney, Australia, has introduced a mandatory cleaning routine for his students.

Students spend 45 minutes per session using brooms, buckets, and mechanical claws to collect litter and clean the school grounds. Chand leads the students through these shifts, providing a speech before each session about environmental responsibility and individual accountability. The initiative began after Chand visited a Japanese high school and observed students mopping floors as a standard part of their day.

He later decided to implement the policy at Chatswood High following the Bondi massacre in December. To support this transition, the school created a curriculum called Just Be Kind, which teaches manners, respect, and gratitude. Teachers now sign up their classes for two cleaning sessions each week. Students reported that the experience helped them notice the amount of waste in their environment and fostered a sense of community.

Some students noted that the mechanical claws provided by a local Bunnings helped them manage the task of handling trash. While some teachers initially questioned why older students were cleaning, many students expressed that the work felt satisfying. Chand says the program aims to teach students to appreciate the work of janitors and to view respect as a courageous act.