From composting lunchbox scraps to growing bush tucker, local schools are raising the next generation of eco students. 

As a proud supporter of school-based environmental initiatives, Council has awarded cash grants to Dee Why Public School and Arranounbai School in Frenchs Forest to support two impressive environmental projects.

Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins said Council was committed to supporting our future environmental protectors. 

“Each year, we award Eco School Grants to help schools reduce waste, regenerate bushland, reduce carbon emissions, better manage water and teach kids how to live sustainably,” Mayor Heins said.

“The projects Dee Why Public School and Arranounbai School are running are truly inspiring and we are proud to support their environmental efforts.”

Dee Why Public School has received $2,000 for its Closed Loop Orchard project, which will revive the school’s composing system. The composting system was set up before the COVID-19 pandemic but continual school closures meant it couldn’t be maintained. With help from Council, the school is getting its composting system back up and running, while teaching students how to keep food waste out of landfill.

Arranounbai School educates students with special and diverse needs. The $1,902 council grant will help the school build an immersive native plant garden to teach students about local Indigenous plants and their different uses.  The project will allow students to see, taste, touch and smell bush tucker plants, providing important sensory play and learning for their diverse students. 

Students will be involved in planning and designing the accessible bush garden.