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GOOD EXAMPLE: The garden at Kirton Point Primary School which is engaged in the sustainable schools inititiave.
The Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board is encouraging more Whyalla schools to get on board for the three Rs … reduce, re-use and recycle.
Six Whyalla schools have already signed up for the Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative – South Australia (AuSSI-SA) with its students leading the way in reducing waste and helping to become more sustainable.
Nicolson Avenue Primary School, Hincks Avenue Primary School, McRitchie Crescent Children’s Services Centre, Gabmididi Manoo Children’s and Family Centre, Samaritan College: Our Lady Help of Christians Campus, Samaritan College: Saint Teresa’s Campus are all taking up the challenge of reducing the waste culture.
Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Education and Volunteer Support Officer Barb Murphy is now calling for more schools in Whyalla and across the Eyre Peninsula to join the initiative.
“The initiative is a partnership between South Australian schools and the Natural Resources Management Board where they work together to develop a shared vision, values, understandings and practices to build a more sustainable community,” Ms Murphy said.
“More than 350 schools and pre-schools are registered with AuSSI-SA.
“Natural Resources EP partners with schools and councils to reduce the waste in schools and in the local community and we are encouraged that students are leading the change.”
Pt Lincoln’s Kirton Point Primary School is one Eyre Peninsula school that has successfully used the program with Principal Heather Curtis grateful for the assistance provided by the EP NRM Board.
“We recently attended the Wipe out Waste performances presented by KESAB,” Ms Curtis said.
“Being able to attend performances such as KESAB’s Wipe out Waste shows the students the difference that we can make at a community level and how that impacts globally.
“We thank the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board in assisting with transport costs for these performances.
“Through reducing, re-using and recycling our waste we have been able to reduce the weekly number of rubbish bins from 22 down to 8, with 6 being our lowest number.
“We’re also now growing herbs, fruit and vegetables utilising our composting systems and water stored in our large rainwater tanks. The students then use these fresh products in their cooking classes.
“Students are responsible for maintaining the garden, sorting and recycling materials and ensuring that the teachers place their own rubbish in the correct bins.”
Natural Resources EP works with schools across the region and is available to assist educators with resources upon request.
To find out more information, or to sign up for the AuSSI-SA program, visit https://www.education.sa.gov.au/sites-and-facilities/environmental-sustainability-programs/aussi-sa or call Barb Murphy on 0427 188 546.