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Actsmart Schools Awards 2019
The Actsmart Schools Awards celebrate excellence in the following focus areas; waste and recycling, energy, water, school grounds and biodiversity and efforts to embed sustainability in the curriculum.
The awards aim to recognise innovative sustainability projects and outstanding contributions made by students, teachers or staff and environment teams.
The award ceremony was held on 20th November 2019 at the West Lounge at GIO stadium.
Congratulations to all the winners, highly commended and nominees.
For more information please contact actsmart@act.gov.au
Award Winners 2019
We're proud to announce this years winners of the 2019 Actsmart Schools Sustainability Awards. Congratulations to all of the winners and nominees.
Award winners:
Sustainable Leadership Award (Primary) – Alexander Roll of Arawang Primary School
Alexander’s enthusiasm and leadership has seen the whole school community build their awareness around sustainability. This is an amazing effort for an 8-year-old student in promoting sustainability across a community.
Sustainable Leadership Award (Secondary / College) – Thu Vu from Daramalan College
As the Environment Captain Thu has demonstrated energy and maturity as well as commitment to leading the student focus on the environment in a positive way. Thu has led include Clean-up Dara Day, a Keep Cups Drive which raised money for an environmental project in Tasmania and expanded the school's Nude Food day.
Sustainable Leadership Award (Teacher / Staff) – Rebecca Legge from Fadden Primary School
Rebecca’s efforts have driven an increased focus on sustainability at Fadden Primary School. There have been big impacts, such as the implementation of school wide recycling systems, to more subtle impacts, such as ‘Use the correct bin’ being added to Fadden’s Positive Behaviours for Learning matrix.
Sustainable Leadership Award (Teacher / Staff) – Tarun Whan from Caroline Chisholm School
Tarun Whan has worked with commitment and unwavering enthusiasm to inspire awareness of sustainability both within his classes and in extra-curricular activities.
Sustainable Leadership Team Award (Primary) – Aranda Primary's School's G-force
The G-Force leads the Aranda Primary school in all their sustainable practices. Managing a comprehensive 5-bin system across the school as well as running and promoting sustainable events such as National Tree day, Clean-Up Australia, Earth Hour, National Recycling week.
Sustainable Leadership Team Award (Secondary / College) – Caroline Chisholm School's Sustainability Squad
The Sustainability Squad strive to create positive change for sustainability. Working with Mr Taz, their achievements include the installation of an innovative real time energy monitoring system, the establishment of a Container Deposit Recycling Scheme at the canteen, and an E-waste school community drop-off centre.
Sustainable Project Award (Primary) – Red Hill Primary School has received the Project award for their Indigenous night day garden
The garden design was influenced by plans submitted by the student led Green Team and Deadly Boomerangs, in consultation with Tyronne Bell from Thunderstone and Adam Shipp from Yurbay. They designed the garden so that the students could learn about the edible plants in our region. The judges were impressed by how the whole school has celebrated and engaged with the garden.
Sustainable Project Award (Secondary / College) – St Francis Xavier's College have received the Project Award for their project 'Mission Compostable.
The Senior Science students identified composting as an area in the school which could be targeted as part of working towards sustainability. Their efforts at becoming compost experts has resulted in compost collection being trialled at the school.
School of the Year Award – Merici College
In addition to collecting recycling and organic matter at Merici College there is a ‘flick-the switch’ campaign and class monitors to manage energy use and monitoring of the school’s new solar array.
Highly Commended:
Sustainable Leadership Award (Primary) - Rebecca Price from Brindabella Christian College
Sustainable Leadership Award (Primary) - Aaron Fox from Sacred Heart Primary School
Sustainable Leadership Award (Secondary) - Juliette Straughair from St Clare's College
Sustainable Leadership Award (Secondary) - Fiona Buining from Merici College
Sustainable Leadership Team Award (Primary) - Bonython Primary Sustainability Student Leadership Team
Sustainable Leadership Team Award (Secondary) - Dickson College SWAG (Sustainability and Waste Action Group)
Sustainable Project Award (Primary) - Fadden Primary School's Upcycling Passion Projects
Sustainable Project Award (Secondary) - UC Lake Ginninderra College's Recycling Project
Sustainable School of the Year – Hawker College
Award Winners 2018
Award winners from the 2018 Actsmart Schools Sustainability Awards:
Innovation Award – Fadden Primary School. As part of introducing a new recycling system the Green Team created influenced the creation of a ‘friendship club’ where students came together to collect rubbish; and the Green Market Day, an event without straws or balloons
Leadership Award Primary – Millie Cains, St Joseph’s Primary School. Millie created innovative solutions to sustainability issues. After joining the Green team, she created and led weekly bin checks, nude food reminders, Earth week and an ideas box.
Leadership Award Secondary / College – Imogen Rayner, UC Senior Secondary College Lake Ginninderra. Imogen led teams to organise Clean up Australia Day, Share the Dignity and a whole college waste audit. She also conducted a school survey to improve recycling and implement new waste management systems within her school..
Leadership Award Teacher / Staff – Alison Hicks, Arawang Primary School. Alison has led Arawang’s sustainability efforts including involvement in Ride/Walk to School, Clean-Up Australia Day, World Environment Day, Earth Hour and National Recycling Week. Alison also facilitated the student teams and has worked to embed sustainability across the school’s curriculum.
School of the Year Award – Garran Primary School. This 5 Star School continues to excel in each of the five focus areas; waste, water, energy, biodiversity/school grounds, and curriculum. Students drive initiatives through their Eco-Rangers. The entire community is involved.
Highly Commended:
Innovation Award - Farrer Primary School
Innovation Award – UC Senior Secondary College Lake Ginninderra
Leadership Award Teacher / Staff – Katheryn Elliot, Farrer Primary School
Leadership Award Teacher / Staff – Carol Quashie-Williams, Farrer Primary School
Leadership Award Secondary / College – Jack Roylance, UC Senior Secondary College Lake Ginninderra
Leadership Award Primary – Angelique Corbitt, Farrer Primary School
School of the Year Award – Aranda Primary School