College students target peers with waste message

Carmel College art students have teamed up with North Shore City Council to get the message out to their peers that the huge volumes of waste going to landfill must come down.

As part of their National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA), the year 13 students are developing designs that the council can use on posters, stickers and on the web to encourage other teenagers to take action on the rubbish issue.

North Shore City's deputy mayor, Dianne Hale, says the partnership between the school and the council is a fantastic initiative that is a win-win for everyone.

"The students have been provided with a full design brief so they're getting some great life experience while we are getting material created by youth for youth," Councillor Hale says.

"It also gives students the opportunity to contribute positively to our city's environment and future."

North Shore City's waste prevention officer, Danielle Kennedy, says that the current WasteWise Schools programme has been developed for primary and intermediate schools.

"Generally, teens are a harder proposition when it comes to getting them excited about rubbish so we're hoping the designs Carmel College come up with really trigger some interest."

Taryn Ellis, the Partners New Zealand business-education partnership facilitator, says students are keen to learn about business practices, to find role models and to understand what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur.

"They are most enthusiastic about the relevance and application of what they're learning and doing, which creates a reason to learn and motivates them into fuller participation within the curriculum.

"I love hearing from them about how they are inspired to take more interest in particular subject areas, life skills or career pathways," she says.

Principal of Carmel College, Kath Deady, is delighted that the partnership has started so well, and hopes it will be the seed for many more.

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