Small school comes out on top at the 2023 Tweed Sustainability Awards

By Sarah Waters

A small school nestled in the Tweed which uses its surrounding natural environment as a learning tool has been recognised at a regional awards ceremony.

Stokers Siding Public School recently won the award for Sustainability in Education at the 2023 Tweed Sustainability Awards.

Judges acknowledged the extensive opportunities for the school’s 40 students to learn about the environment.

Through the school’s Nature Explorers program students have designed, installed and maintained fences to keep native wildlife safe from introduced pests.

They have also conducted water bug surveys, created frog hotels from recycled materials and made bee hotels to help repopulate the local native bee population.

Last term, the school connected with local Indigenous community members to build a native seed bank for future generations and also created a yarning circle.

Principal Justine Griffin said she was thrilled about the win and praised the staff and students for their commitment and enthusiasm when it comes to environmental education.

“Rod Hollis teaches our Nature Explorers program, and he has done a wonderful job with environmental education,” Ms Griffin said.

“When possums were eating the vegetables in our vegetable garden, the children decided to design and build a fence around it.

“We bought some materials, the students had to work out the design and measurements of the fence - it was a great learning opportunity.

“The classroom isn’t just inside, it’s all around us, and the students spend a lot of time outside learning.

“Learning in that context really encourages them to think outside the box and solve a variety of problems in different ways,” she said.

The students often lead the way and use their own initiative when it comes to finding sustainable solutions for environmental challenges.

Recently, students setup a recycling system to help combat waste from the school’s breakfast program, to prevent drink cartons ending up in the landfill.

They have also been taught how to set up and maintain an efficient compost system following a visit from the Compost Queen.

The hands-on, outdoor learning style the school embraces, has encouraged other schools

SHOW YOUR LOVE FOR TWEED’S TREES: SHARE YOUR BEST SHOTS!

in the region to adopt the same practices and programs.

It hasn’t just been a matter of stepping outside the classroom in an idyllic setting to learn, however.

Stokers Siding Public School has had to overcome many challenges since last year’s floods destroyed its two classrooms, including the resources and equipment that were in them.

Up until the start of the year, staff and students had no option but to use the school’s administration building as their ‘indoor’ classroom.

The school has still been in recovery mode and has only just received funding to replace its reading books that were among them many items ruined in the flood.

Ms Griffin said fortunately the small school was like a big family.

“The beauty of the school is that all the children play together, you just don’t find one alone, they all get on with each other so well.

“I try and meet the families when they arrive every morning, that’s something that is really important to build that trust and those relationships,” she said.

Stokers Siding Public School continues to grow and has become a leader in environmental education within the Tweed Shire.

Calling all tree enthusiasts in Tweed! We invite residents to capture the beauty of their cherished trees or picturesque streetscapes as part of Council’s Cool Towns Urban Forest Program, a heartfelt ode to our leafy companions.

The primary objective of the Cool Towns Urban Forest Program is to enhance the green canopy of Tweed by planting more trees. These trees not only offer shade but also help in cooling the surroundings where heat is typically absorbed and radiated by concrete, asphalt, and buildings.

As part of this wonderful initiative, Tweed residents are encouraged to capture the essence of their favorite tree in an urban setting within Tweed Shire. Share your photo on Council’s community engagement platform, Your Say Tweed, by Sunday, November 26. Every entry stands a chance to win an exciting prize package that includes vouchers for native trees, premium compost, and a set of gardening supplies (with two lucky winners to be chosen).

Once the submission window closes, the community will be invited to cast their votes for the most beloved tree and streetscape from the captivating selection of photos.

Tweed Shire’s Mayor, Chris Cherry, emphasizes the importance of this endeavour, saying, “Greening the Shire is one way Council is working to make a positive impact in our community.”

Research has shown that trees in urban environments yield various economic, environmental, public health, and social advantages. The Cool

Towns initiative aims to increase the quantity and quality of tree cover within the urban areas of Tweed. This includes providing natural shade for parks, playgrounds, and open spaces, as well as planting trees along streets and shared paths where tree cover is currently scarce.

“We hope the community will rally behind this initiative and collaborate with us to celebrate the beauty of Tweed’s trees while raising awareness about the vital role they play in our daily lives,” adds Mayor Cherry.

Community members are encouraged to share their deep affection for their beloved trees and streetscapes. Share details about the location, unique features, and activities associated with these trees to provide a well-rounded perspective.

Urban trees offer a myriad of benefits to the community, the environment, and the economy. They have been proven to reduce energy consumption for heating and cooling by as much as 15%, boost property values by 5 to 30%, encourage outdoor activities like walking and cycling, and mitigate heat-related health issues.

This project reflects Council’s commitment to safeguard the Tweed’s globally significant environment for a sustainable and vibrant future.

Submit your tree and streetscape photos online by the stroke of midnight on Sunday, November 26, 2023, at yoursaytweed.com.au/ cool-towns. Voting for the most captivating tree and streetscape photos will commence on Monday, November 27. For competition terms and conditions, please visit the website.