Photo caption: Walcha Central School teacher Jennifer Grayling, left, Principal Amanda Cooper and Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall celebrating the announcement of a $13,500 State Government grant for a new student-led sustainability program ‘Reduced Waste, Increased Harvest.’
Wednesday, 28 June 2023
REDUCE waste and increase the harvest is the catch-cry for Walcha Central School, thanks to a $13,500 State Government grant for new student-led sustainability initiatives, announced today by Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall.
Mr Marshall said the funding, secured under the Sustainable Schools Grant program, would be used to purchase new waste sorting bins for classrooms, install an outdoor greenhouse and extra 10-cent collectable bins around the school’s playgrounds.
“The Waste Warriors are a group of Years 3-6 students who conducted a waste audit around the school, guided by Thalgarrah’s Environmental Education Officer Matt McKenzie,” Mr Marshall said.
“It was wonderful to hear about the student-led initiatives underway at Walcha Central to ensure less waste goes into landfill and more diverted to be recycled or used in the school’s gardens.
“The project Reduced Waste, Increased Harvest involves many hands-on activities to improve sustainability within the school and is aligned with the curriculum.
“I’m excited to see the students learn about waste diversion and recycling by literally getting their hands dirty and encouraging their peers to do the same.”
Walcha Central School teacher Jennifer Grayling said the program was an opportunity for students to learn the importance of sustainability practises and how small changes could have a big impact.
“This project is giving our students knowledge and skills they can implement at home including the importance of sorting their waste to reduce landfill and the ability to grow their own food,” Ms Grayling said.
“It will expand existing infrastructure and establish a permanent self-sustaining garden that generates seasonal produce all year round in an alpine climate.”
Ms Grayling said Reduced Waste, Increased Harvest was aligned with the K-10 curriculum and the fresh produce would be used in the school canteen and food technology classes.
Money raised from the 10-cent collectables was used to fund the school’s breakfast club program and would go towards funding the 2023 Hands on Learning program in the high school.