MOTHER Teresa Primary, Westmead, aims to make a difference both in and out of the classroom.
The school's design is focused around sustainability and a flexible learning spaces model — an alternative to the traditional one teacher, per class, per room.
Zero bins and a no-litter policy is enforced in the playground, which means parents must think about the food and the way it's packaged when they fill their child's lunch box.
Principal Gary Borg is the man leading the charge at the school that has been open for around eight months.
"We wanted to pioneer as many environmental sustainable aspects as we could in the school," he said.
"The no-litter policy means we don't have to have a maintenance person so we save $3000 to $4000 a year.
"It also lets the parents see what their kids do and don't eat."
The school's design features lights which automatically switch off if no movement is detected for 10 minutes.
Around 100 mugs were also purchased for school functions to avoid the waste of styrofoam cups and meditation occurs every day at noon for up to 15 minutes depending on the age of the student.
The flexible-learning-spaces model enables teachers to take multiple classes in the one room, which allows students to have interaction with more than one teacher at a particular time.
"The school is trying to look more like the real world and has kids working in teams which is vital for their function," Mr Borg said.
"Kids become more independent, and particularly for year 5 and 6 students, it makes the transition to high school easier."
Mother Teresa Primary, Westmead, currently has 176 students from kindergarten to year 4 and 12 teachers.
In four years the school aims to have 400 students from kindergarten to year 6 and about 25 teachers.
Contact 9687 5852 or motherteresawestmead.catholic.edu.au.