Coonabarabran High School students have again been recognised for their work in looking after the environment.

On World Environment Day last Saturday, 5 June, Environment Minister Matt Kean announced Coonabarabran High School’s D7 Support Unit as NSW Young Environmental Citizen of the Year.

The class has been acknowledged for their environmental leadership in developing eco-sustainability programs and their significant contributions to the Return and Earn Program.

“The youngsters are an inspiration to all schools around the state, with special thanks to Warrumbungle Shire Council for their nomination of the students,” Mr Kean said.

The recycling incentive has been operating at the school for more than a decade.

The students enter classrooms and offices within the school and collect the recycling boxes and transfer them to the collection centre.

They also take part in eco-sustainability programs and recycling efforts, inspiring the whole school and making a big contribution to the Return and Earn program.

“Their efforts are a timely reminder that our planet’s resources are finite and every one of us can make a positive difference to conserve them,” support unit head teacher, Sharon Rankmore, said.

The recycling program commenced when the Coonabarabran High School Support Unit was first opened in 2005.

Expansion of the program across the three Support Unit classes took place when eco-sustainability units were integrated into the Support Unit’s science program.

This was achieved through the development of the learning space garden project in 2019- 20, made possible with a grant from the NSW Environmental Trust’s Eco Schools Grants Program.

The next step in the eco- sustainability program will involve composting food scraps collected at recess and lunch, which will be further used as compost in the food gardens that students maintain for their food technology classes.