Honour roll

Matilda is being recognised for her achievements in the Environment which includes:

• Organising fundraising at Denman Public School to help the endangered Orangutans in Borneo.
• Organising fundraising in the wider community to help the endangered Orangutans in Borneo.
• Raising enough money so that Denman Public School is now a sponsor of an orang-utan, which will be continued each year.

St James is being recognised for their contribution to the environment which includes:

• Focusing on awareness of the needs of the environment through innovation, education and leadership.
• Involving the whole school in environmental ways.
• Integrating environmental themes across the curriculum.
• Consolidating partnerships with the business community.
• Installing rainwater tanks to collect water for use in toilets, gardens and grounds.
• Installing dual flush toilets throughout the school to save water.
• Installation of three star taps and bubblers throughout the school reducing water usage.
• Planting trees and seedlings every year on National Tree Day – 100 trees and 100 shrubs this year and seeds were also collected for future germination.
• Being the first primary school to install solar panels.
• Receiving the 8th and final star for Smart Lighting in the Climate Campaign for Schools Program in 2009.
• Being the first school in the Climate Campaign for Schools Program to receive all 8 Stars.
• Establishing an Environmental Management Plan.
• Having the senior children involved in leading all environmental initiatives and explaining them to the younger children.
• Installing “Smart Lighting” throughout the school with energy saving timers and sensors.
• Establishing vegetable gardens, no-dig gardens, fruit trees, olive trees and passionfruit vines.
• Having compost bins and worm farms.

Dennis is being recognised for his contribution to the environment which includes:

• Devoting many hours to keeping Muswellbrook clean.
• Voluntarily picking up rubbish in all weather conditions.
• Donating money that is gained from recycled cans goes to Muswellbrook Hospital.

Muswellbrook South Public School
Muswellbrook South Public School is being nominated for its commitment to the environment which includes:

• Devoting 2 hours per week where the children complete activities to help improve the environment;
• Receiving 2 awards in the past for its environmental activities;
• Employing a teacher to teach Environmental Education.

Muswellbrook Public School
Muswellbrook Public School is being nominated for its commitment to the environment which includes:

• Germinating 6,000 trees of native species in the school’s greenhouses;
• Adding to their environmental program aspects relating to water and energy;
• Receiving awards for Environmental Recognition on 3 occasions in the past;
• Creating its own vegetable garden;
• Employing a teacher to teach Environmental Education.

Muswellbrook Public School is being nominated for its commitment to the environment which includes:

• Germinating 6,000 trees of native species in the school’s greenhouses.
• Supplying up to 11 schools in the Upper Hunter with trees for pupils to plant on National Tree Day, as well as supplying trees to mine sites, Muswellbrook Shire Council and Landcare Groups.
• Employing a teacher to teach Environmental Education.

Sam is being recognised for his commitment to the environment which includes:

• Undertaking an Individual Student Learning Project regarding the impact of cats on the native wildlife;
• Gathering considerable facts and figures  from written sources and interviews with professional landcare managers;
• Presenting the facts to the community in an easily absorbed manner which included the building of several 3D models depicting typical Ecosystems where cats have made themselves at home;
• Producing an informative and glossy brochure and drawing a cartoon strip in order to target all  ages in the audience.

DENMAN PUBLIC SCHOOL
Denman Public School is being recognised for their commitment to the environment including:

• Consistently supported National Tree Day through the planting of trees by the children both at home and through the establishment of a native species garden at the school
• Children instructed in the care of native species of trees

MUSWELLBROOK SOUTH PUBLIC SCHOOL
Muswellbrook South Public School is being recognised for their commitment to the environment including:

• Has an environmental program particularly for disadvantaged students
• Children participate in planting native species at the school and take part in maintenance of the trees
• Participated in the planting of trees on mine sites for Mt Arthur Coal