Local students tackle Mapua’s rubbish

Mapua’s popular wharf area is virtually void of rubbish thanks to the efforts of more than 70 students from Mapua School’s senior team on Wednesday, 11 December.

The year 4 and 5 students donned rubber gloves and scoured the area for any rubbish.

Keen to look after their local environment, the students’ efforts began on the walk from school, collecting bits and pieces on their way to the wharf.

“I like that what we’re doing is good for the environment,” says student Ayla Spinetto.

The initiative was kicked off last year by Jellyfish owner Debbie Lavery and Mapua School teacher Sarah Tolle in a bid to clean up the community area before the onset of Christmas visitors.

“It’s just great to do it before summer and get it all cleaned up before the tourists come in.

It’s a great com- munity-minded thing to do and gives the kids the opportunity to learn about the effects of rubbish in the community,” says Debbie.

Debbie donates the gloves, rubbish bags and supplied the students with hot chips and the opportunity to win one of four prizes.

The biggest bag of rubbish, best hat, most enthusiastic collector and the weirdest item were all rewarded.

The students were especially spoiled this year with Alberta’s supplying donuts.

“The kids love it, they feel like they’ve done something really special for the community and they like getting the hot chips from Deb, and this year the donuts,” says Sarah.

“Students are often very surprised at the amount and variety of rubbish they collect.”