School students watch waste

Pretty Beach and Empire Bay Public Schools took part in Gosford Council's interactive environmental program, Waste Watchers, recently.

During the four-day program the two schools participated in workshops focusing on the correct use of bins, recycling, landfill, organic waste and litter.

Pretty Beach Public School principal Ms Vicki Redrup said the school "jumped at the chance" to be part of the local government initiative.

Ms Redrup said the school was situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty and the students were aware of the part they played in protecting it.

The Waste Watchers workshops, conducted by Keep Australia Beautiful, were designed to incorporate the NSW syllabus outcomes, facilitate behaviour change in students and encourage all the various aspects of appropriate waste disposal.

"The students of our school have grown up in one of the most beautiful estuaries on the New South Wales Coast line," said Ms Redrup.

"The Waste Watchers program has been another way of providing them with the practices needed to look after their fragile waterways."

Gosford council's sustainability officer Ms Maree Whelan is also a parent at Pretty Beach Public.

"The best thing about Waste Watchers program is its going to make teachers of our children," Ms Whelan said.

"Their knowledge of how to protect their local area is the key to its future."

Ms Whelan said it was also an opportunity for children to learn about council's waste services.

Press release, September 29 Vicki Redrup, Pretty Beach Public School