Sustainable champions

South Coogee Primary School has been rewarded for its commitment to land care and dedication to ensuring a whole school approach to sustainability.

The school recently took out the Woolworths Junior Landcare Award in the WA Landcare Awards. Staff were recognised for their work in raising awareness, knowledge, and understanding of land care among young people and encouraging sustainable practices and protecting local ecosystems.

Lynette Beard, principal of South Coogee Primary School, said she was excited that the school was named a winner. 

“I am very proud of the way staff at our school work together in all elements of the children’s learning. It is exciting to have this acknowledged,” she said. 

Sustainability has been part of the school’s day-to-day activities for many years, with staff encouraging a sustainable approach in children from the beginning of their school journey. 

Since 2001, the school has been recognised as a Waterwise School and has been an accredited WasteSorted School for more than 10 years. 

Some of the school’s projects include establishing a bush tucker garden and greenhouse, using Climate Clever to track their carbon footprint, developing composting and worm farming facilities, having classroom ECO bins, and monitoring and recording plastic usage. 

Year 5 students have the opportunity to take part in an Environmental Cadetship, which runs in partnership with the City of Cockburn, and Year 6 sustainability representatives host tours of the school’s sustainable initiatives.   

Students also work with their teachers to create or market recycled goods at a Sustainability Fair. All the money raised from the student purchases go back into recycling efforts. Last year they raised $1024.60. 

Ms Beard said the program is owned by the whole school and students know that together they are making a consistent difference every day.

South Coogee Primary School isn’t a stranger to winning big in sustainability. In 2023 the school won the School Waste Award at the WasteSorted Awards and was a finalist in 2022. 

“While we won the WasteSorted Award last year, it was very satisfying to be able to show continual growth in our thinking about new ways to look after the environment which are doable and sustainable,” said Ms Beard. 

“Recognising this exceptional program will promote further positive impact so all students have opportunities to become Landcare warriors.” 

The school will now go on to the National Landcare awards, hosted in early 2025, as a finalist. 

You can find out more about Landcare Australia on their website.