Students have their own Environment Day

The students of Pretty Beach Public School will experience their own Environment Day this week in the lead up to the international United Nations' celebrations held annually on June 5.

School principal Ms Vicki Redrup said the school had long supported the UN's efforts to raise awareness of the global sustainability issues affecting our planet and has become a beacon school in the area when it comes to championing the environment.

The school held its first Environment Day in the mid-90s and called in local knowledge and parental support to help educate the pupils about the natural local habitat they live in.

This year Rumbalara Environmental Educational Centre principal Mr Mark Attwooll will be talking to students about the ecology of the Brisbane Waters estuary, on which the school is located, and the importance of keeping the foreshores healthy.

The Taronga Park Zoo Mobile will also be visiting, local Aboriginal art expert Ms Donella Waters will help the children paint the school fence, chef Brian Lizotte will be making bush tucker and the Australian Museum In-A-Box will give information about moluscs.

The children will also be making musical instruments out of recycled materials and volunteer parents will be teaching how to transplant seedlings using juice from the school's worm farm.

Gosford Council's sustainability communications officer Ms Maree Whelan will be telling a Water Wise Tale, which was "very apt considering the theme for this year's World Environment Day is Deserts and Desertification", according to Ms Redrup.

The slogan is Don't Desert Dry lands.

Ms Redrup said the School's initiative was a great way of making the children aware of the part they play in looking after the beautiful surroundings in which they live.

"Involving the whole community gives them an appreciation of where they live and teaches them the positive difference they can make to their future," said Ms Redrup.

"It also connects them to the environmental issues affecting the rest of the world.

"Our day is just one of many people's events such as street rallies, bicycle parades, green concerts, essays and poster competitions in schools, tree planting, as well as recycling and clean-up campaigns taking place all over the globe."

World Environment Day was set up by The United Nations in 1972 to give a human face to environmental issues; empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development; promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues; and advocate partnership which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.

Press release, May 26 Vicki Redrup, Pretty Beach Public School