Envirokids rewarded for action

Tatura Primary School’s Envirokids group were named the best Student Action Team at the Victorian Government’s Resource Smart Schools Awards ceremony recently.

Teacher Donna Crosbie and several students travelled to the event at Melbourne’s Imax Theatre to learn if they were successful and be entertained by the energetic MC Costa Georgiadis.

Resource smart: Tatura Primary School’s Envirokids (standing)
 Bella Heart, Teige Mobberley, Noah Walker, Ava Fasano,
Cooper O’Neill, Leon Findlay, (front) Fayte Belmont-Wickliffe,
 Kalisha Hopson, Chloe Andonoudis, Sarah Saffron, Jemma
 Bailey, Taylee Shuttleworth.

The Envirokids group is made of 12 students in Years 3 to 6 who have been busy putting into practice programs to reduce waste and improve sustainability at the school. The group, elected at the start of the year, meets once a week to have a discussion and create a plan of action for the week.

‘‘They have helped educate their peers with initiatives such as bringing their lunch in a reusable container rather than in packaging and encouraging composting at the school,’’ Ms Crosbie said.

‘‘We have seen real results with the school’s landfill reduced by 33 cubic metres in the year.

‘‘While we have the Envirokids it is a whole school push to reduce waste.

‘‘The students will take part in Greater Shepparton Council’s Follow Your Rubbish Tours and recently worked with Goulburn Murray Water and the local Landcare Environment Group which discussed nature, waterways during a visit to Lake Bartlett.’’

The Envirokids also worked with Sustainability Victoria’s Resource Smart Program facilitator Alice Russell to do a rubbish audit of the school.

Declan Martin’s story in today’s Shepparton News - “Envirokids rewarded for action.”