Students lead environmental action across campus

A new waste education campaign at CCGS launched last week inspiring students, staff and teachers to rethink, reduce, reuse and recycle.

The initiative spearheaded by Head Prefects, Robert Bacon and Taylem Barnard saw the introduction of Envirobank blue bins across the campus.

The aim is to encourage everyone from Kindergarten to Year 12 to recycle plastic bottles, cans and juice/milk cartons. 10c is then refunded for each recyclable and donated to a nominated charity.

Environmental Action Group to spearhead campaign

Students ranging from Year 5 to Year 12 have joined together with dedicated staff to form the CCGS Environmental Action Group. Together the group aim to:

• Reduce the school’s environmental footprint; and
• Create environmentally conscious global citizens.

So far the group of students have been working on implementing paper bin recycling throughout the Junior School. Now the team has turned its attention to educating students about what can and cannot go in the new blue bins.

James Peters, Year 6 student said, “We’ve had some small wins for our recycling initiatives. The blue bin recycling is different to the yellow bins we use at home so it’s taking time for people to know what to put in the new bins.”

“To help raise awareness we’ve made posters to show the kind of things that can and cannot go in the bins. Plus we’re going into every single classroom to talk to students about the bins. We’ll be monitoring bin use carefully and coming up with more creative ideas to get people involved.”

Empowering young leaders

Giving students an opportunity to actively participate in decision making at school is an important part of the CCGS wellbeing structure. 

As the blue bins start to fill up with 10c refundable recyclables, students will be able to have their say and vote for their nominated charity. 

Mr Matt Porter, Deputy Head of Senior School said, “Voting for the charity of their choice gives students an opportunity to help make decisions for the school. We want students to have their say and show them we value their views.”

Added Mr Porter, “The Environmental Action Group consists of teachers and students working together to design solutions for the school. We appreciate and respect the ideas and opinions of all involved. It’s this collaborative approach that can genuinely help shape learning and decision making.”

The new waste education campaign hopes to engage all students and staff in creating a positive eco culture that can help give back to charity.