Students and teachers from across the Central Coast took part in Council’s 2016 Primary School Environment Award Program encouraging students to consider stormwater issues in and around their school.

This year’s theme, the drain is just for the rain, got students thinking about the impact waste has in their local environment such as waterways as well as the bigger picture of marine debris and how all drains lead to the ocean.

Warnervale Public School and Mannering Park Public School were named the two overall winners for the former Wyong Shire area.

Council’s Team Leader Community Education, Ms Danielle Hargreaves, said she was impressed at how Warnervale Public School has made it a key part of their everyday activities.

“The school has developed a program to address the litter issues on top of their already successful environmental management program,” Ms Hargreaves said.

“Extra bins have been placed in litter focus areas and during lunch and recess all the students use the Take 3 approach to make all rubbish is picked up before they go and play.

“Food scraps are collected for the chickens to reduce any avoidable food waste, and the canteen now buys items with less packaging which results in less waste.

“And this is just a sample of how the school is taking the 3-Rs approach – reduce, recycle and reuse.”

Mannering Park Public School has also integrated the theme, the drain is for the rain, into all aspects of school life.

From a waste audit, to Waste Free Wednesdays and a new recycling system, this small school is also leading the way in changing behaviours and teaching students about what goes down the drain impacts stormwater and wildlife.

Council’s Administrator, Mr Ian Reynolds, was excited at the work produced in an effort to help the local environment.

“It’s great to see so many schools participate in this annual program and how the learnings from this become part of everyday life at school and home,” Mr Reynolds said.

“The program gives primary school students a chance to become involved in fun, innovative and environmentally sustainable projects that make a real positive difference to our community.”

Other winners announced today included Brooke Avenue Public School, Ourimbah Public School, Tacoma Public School and Wyong Creek Public School.

The winners of the school in the former Gosford City area will be announced on Friday 25 November at Laycock Street Community Theatre.