Parap Primary School and Areyonga school have been recognised at the 2018 Territory Tidy Towns Awards for their commitment to promoting and creating eco-friendly sustainable communities.
Keep Australia Beautiful Council Northern Territory CEO, Heimo Schober, said both schools were leading the way in environmental change in their communities and region.
“The schools have been recognised for the outstanding work that its students and the school communities have done to encourage and promote positive, healthy social and environmental outcomes and suitability,” Mr Schober said.
“Parap Primary School is a leading Northern Territory Eco-School and actively participates in the global school sustainability program. It’s a very beautiful school in harmony with its community and environmental surroundings, and the students, with the support of its Teachers, are extremely active towards global sustainability learning, teaching and practices.”
Parap Primary School Students have tackled a range of sustainability initiatives including:
- Recycling of materials and packaging which includes supportive infrastructure such as bins and signage at classroom levels.
- Anti-litter signage throughout the school
- Solar energy in use
- The establishment of compost bins, worm farming, water-wise and water saving initiatives, school vegetable garden, and native tree planting.
- Display of local Indigenous culture to share and respect within the school grounds.
- Environmental innovation and sustainability through ‘Boomerang Bags’ for their local market stores and student research on plastic eating ‘Wax Worm.’
- Student Eco-Warriors Program – a very enthusiastic student leadership group, prioritising and guiding school’s sustainability and environmental projects throughout the year.
Ayeronga School, a very deserving recipient of the Highly Commendable Award, creates an environment conducive to learning with a focus on community, social and sustainability development and wellbeing.
“This beautiful remote school, situated in the 200km west of Alice Springs, has tackled a range of sustainability initiatives which benefits not just the school, but the whole community.
“The school’s shared objectives for a healthy happy community has resulted in the school students leading the way on many community activities and being strong allies in the lead up to change.
“I congratulate both schools on their achievements and I encourage them to continue with their environmental efforts.”