Schools competition turns 21

Wyong Shire Council's Environmental Program and Competition for primary schools is up and running for its 21st year.

Held annually, the program encourages local primary schools to become actively involved in addressing a wide range of environmental issues.

The program aims to increase environmental awareness among students and foster relationships between local schools, the students and the broader community.

The theme this year is “Is your school sustainable?” which encourages entrants to think about how to maintain and improve their school environment.

Environmental Education Officer, Maree Whelan, said schools were encouraged to complete a sustainability audit of their current environmental programs and see how they could be improved.

“We are encouraging the participating students to use their imaginations and to think creatively about the ways in which they can make their school environmentally sustainable,” Ms Whelan said.

“Schools in the past have showcased their work by developing PowerPoint presentations of their environmental activities, producing creative Waste as Art 3D models and providing Council with eco tours of the school.

“Schools have already planted vegetable gardens, installed rainwater tanks and improved their waste management systems in response to improving their overall sustainability for this year’s program.

“The program and competition has been successful for 21 years in building great relationships between Council and local primary schools and helps the students gain an understanding of a variety of environmental issues.“

The competition is divided into three categories, schools can enter any or all sections.

The categories are performance and oral presentation, Waste as Art challenge and environmental improvements made to school grounds.

Schools are also encouraged to present their School Environmental Management Plan to show evidence of student involvement in sustainable activities.

“Council staff visit the schools entered in the competition regularly to see how their projects are coming along and help the students.

“We have already seen some fantastic creations and believe the competition judging will be as difficult as ever this year”, Ms Whelan said.

The competition judging will be completed in September 2008 and an awards ceremony will follow in November this year.

Local primary schools can still enter the competition. For more information on how to be involved, phone Kristie Kelaher on (02) 43 50 5192.

Media Contact: Janelle Kelly – (02) 4350 5103

Page last updated: 22/07/2008