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Sustainability is the watchword of Katherine South Primary School and several student projects are giving practical expression to the biosphere friendly ethos.
The establishment of a community vegetable and herb garden is helping students develop the knowledge, skills and values needed to nurture a culture of wise resource use.
Reprocessing initiatives include the generation of compost from food scraps and class recycling stations have been set up to collect 10 cent refundable containers.
And the Year 3/4 Eco Warriors are making broad and beneficial impacts on the school's natural environment, lobbying to prevent ecological degradation.
The group of four were victorious in Katherine's sustainability oriented Junk Arts Festival - submitting a plastic straw wrapper collage of a river system.
Concerned about the potential pollution of straws and straw wrappers in the Katherine River, the warriors wrote to the drinks manufacturer suggesting the product be sold "without the straw and straw wrapper" further noting "we need to look after our world as we have only one".
Next school term the warriors will trial a program targeting plastic cutlery at the school, supplying each class with non-plastic forks, spoons and teaspoons.
Principal Karen Taylor said the ideas have been positively received in the school community.
"Schools can be such a powerful force in driving change, but when students are behind the wheel it is even stronger," she said.
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"Another move to reduce the amount of disposable plastic in the school is being led by the Student Representative Council.
"In collaboration with the canteen manager they are trialing the use of recyclable containers and cutlery to promote Nude Food lunches - a program minimising the use of excess disposal packaging, such as small tubs, zip-lock bags, cling wrap and foil."
The environmentally conscious school also has an interest in nature and the importance of trees with its Transition to Year 2 students.