Students at Katamatite Primary School epitomised the mantra of ‘living locally, thinking globally’ when they took to the streets of their town armed with rubber gloves and bin bags on Friday, February 28.
The Clean Up Australia Day initiative, part of the school’s sustainability curriculum, aimed to get students on the ground to learn about pollution, waste management, and the importance of caring for their environment.
Principal Jason Whiteley praised his students for their enthusiasm.
"Caring for our community isn’t just about keeping it clean today – it’s about setting an example for the future. Our students understand that small actions can have a big impact," he said.
The most common types of rubbish found by students were glass bottles and plastic food packaging.
“One of the great strengths of small schools is that we can offer students hands-on learning experiences that connect directly to real-world issues,” Mr Whiteley said.
“Our students don’t just learn about sustainability in the classroom—they live it by taking action.”
Year 6 student Violet Gallard emphasised the importance of protecting the local environment for both people and wildlife.
“It’s not just about picking up rubbish—it’s about looking after the plants and animals that live here and making our town a place everyone can enjoy,” Violet said.
The school hopes the enthusiasm shown by its students will inspire the broader community to take action to keep Katamatite clean.
