Inspection of environmental project at City Beach Primary School

18/3/98

Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes will today visit one of Western Australia's most innovative centres for environmental education.

"City Beach Primary School is a shining example of what can be achieved in environmental education," Mrs Edwardes said.

"The school has repeatedly been recognised and rewarded for the initiatives it has undertaken by involving and teaching students and the community about the environment."

Since 1989 City Beach Primary School has been the recipient of nine major environment/education awards and has been continually developing innovative educational examples involving partnerships between staff, students, parents, community, organisations, scientists and business.

Mrs Edwardes' visit will include the inspection of the school's latest environmental project - bush re-establishment.

"The school's students are working to restore the original vegetation on the site and nearby beach dunes by using local plants grown in the school's nursery which has been funded by aluminium can collection," the Minister said.

"The propagation of indigenous plants was an initiative of the student club - the Bush Guardians Inc.

"The aim of the group is to encourage the community to plant local species in their gardens and conserve water."

Staff at the school are also involved in an innovative educational program which integrates the study of ecology across all learning areas and provides each year level with a responsibility related to that ecology program.

To date there have been a number of enquiries from other Western Australian schools and schools from interstate and overseas. This level of interest has led to the development of the Centre for Ecological Education and Development (CEED).

CEED is a partnership between City Beach Primary School, the Bush Guardians Inc and many other groups.

Mrs Edwardes congratulated the City Beach Primary School staff, students and parents on their excellent environmental initiatives and encouraged other schools to undertake similar environmental programs.

Media contact: Nicole Trigwell (08) 9421 7777