Wānaka Primary School has celebrated another milestone on its Enviroschools journey.

The school recently reached the silver level of Enviroschools, an action-based programme where students design and lead sustainability projects.

It had earned a bronze with Enviroschools in 2019. 

“I feel very proud of the huge and sustained effort put in to get to this award,” Wānaka Primary School principal Wendy Bamford said.

She said the programme had embedded environmental action into “the way we do things” and was part of various parts of school life.

“Our ‘Garden to Table’ project is a highlight, with its wonderful gardens complete with its worm farm, tunnel house and well producing gardens, and our purpose built kitchen.

“The school is already looking towards the future with several exciting ideas for the next steps, including a water area, a fundraiser for the school beehive and more celebration of local history and Te Ao Māori.”

The school also has a targeted plan to incorporate ‘Garden to Table’ in every classroom around a seasonal activity calendar. 

At the final assembly for 2023 the school said goodbye to one of the teachers who played an integral role in their Enviroschools success, Jo Roberts. 

Wendy said Jo had been an “amazing” force within Enviroschools at the school.

Wastebusters’ Wānaka-based enviroschools facilitator Damian Foster spoke about the work Jo had done at the school.

“Jo has been the Enviroschools key teacher for the last number of years. She has a passion for empowering the students to take action for sustainability,” Damian said.

“The children love to work with Jo and give up their lunchtimes to be part of the Envirogroup. Jo will be sadly missed by the whole school community.”

Enviroschools is delivered by Wastebusters and funded by Queenstown Lakes District Council.

PHOTO: Orla O’Muiri/Wastebusters