Six Whangarei schools win environmental awards

The Northland Regional Council has begun presenting cheques to the six schools in the Whangarei district that are sharing a $6580 slice of this year’s Environmental Curriculum Awards (ECAs).

The annual awards aim to foster excellence in environmental education, with schools eligible for up to $2000 each for their efforts to educate children ‘in, about and for’ the region’s environment.

Six winning schools are based in the Whangarei district; Kamo Primary School ($400), Kamo Intermediate ($490), Otaika Valley School ($2000), Poroti School ($1500), Ruakaka School ($1200) and Waipu School ($990).

Presentation of those six cheques began with Kamo Primary and will finish late next month. They are scheduled to be delivered by a team of local regional councillors.

“It’s great to see the wide range of environmental education work happening in Whangarei district schools,” Cr David Sinclair says.

“Learning to looking after our region today helps ensure our children a great tomorrow. This is very important to us as Northland Regional Councillors. We’re pleased to be supporting these environmental education efforts as part of working with the community for a sustainable future,” he says.

Meanwhile, of the remaining winners, five are based in the Far North district and two in Kaipara.

The ECAs this year recognise and support the environmental education efforts put in by more than 1100 Northland students in about 70 classes and/or school student environmental groups.