Primary schools’ environmental champions lauded at awards

News Release

Friday 13 December 2013

Primary schools’ environmental champions lauded at awards

Environmental heroes from local primary schools were hailed at the Environmental Primary Schools Awards at Rotorua District Council (RDC) today (13 December).

The awards, coordinated by Keep Rotorua Beautiful (KRB) and Rotorua Canopy Tours, acknowledged local teachers, students and caretakers for their environmental efforts, following nominations from their schools.

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick, Rotorua Canopy Tours director James Fitzgerald, the council’s KRB coordinator Rose Hiha-Agnew, and Elliot Pollard chairman of both Keep NZ Beautiful and KRB presented recipients with their awards at a special afternoon tea function.

The Totara Teacher Environmental Award was won by Otonga Primary School’s Amanda Jeffery; the Kowhai Student Environmental Award was won by 7 year old Storm Peita from Rotokawa School; and the Manuka Caretaker – Kaitiaki Award was won by Colin Pedersen from Te Kura o Te Whakarewarewa.

RDC Keep Rotorua Beautiful coordinator, Rose Hiha-Agnew, said the three winners were worthy recipients, consistently demonstrating leadership and commitment to our environment.

“Amanda is a Green Team leader, organising recycling, worm farms, gardening and litter buster groups for her students. She has coordinated many beautifications projects, and organised the KRB Clean Up Week in September which the whole school was involved in.

“At just 7 years old, Storm is a natural environmentalist. This young man sorts recycling, picks up litter throughout the school without being asked, and is a real advocate for school environmental projects, including gardening.

“Colin provides wonderfully groomed grounds surrounded by native forests, organised and developed a thriving worm farm with junior students, and shares ownership and leadership of vegetable, fruit and flower gardens within the school.”

All winners received a cash prize, Rotorua Canopy Tours vouchers, and a certificate.

[ENDS]

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