SOUTH East students will move one step closer to reducing their ecological footprint today as they prepare to Clean Up Australia.
Although the national initiative is set down for Sunday, traditionally students roll up their sleeves the preceding Friday for school clean-up activities.
Due to forecast temperatures approaching 40 degrees, several South East schools have postponed their participation to a later date.
Mil Lel Primary School wellbeing leader Michelle Schutz said the school would still be involved in the event although with minor alterations.
“We believe the students develop their personal skills and qualities when involved in a sustainable event like this one,” Ms Schutz said.
“As the forecast has predicted high temperatures we will start our 15 minute clean-up at 9am to avoid the heat.
“Students from all year levels will be concentrating not just on school areas, but also the surrounding tennis club, nearby cricket oval and the Mil Lel hall.”
Ms Schutz said the clean-up would be followed by a rubbish audit led by the school captains.
“This helps determine what we found was actually rubbish, what was recyclable, how many bottles we found and other learning capabilities.
“We send through the results to Clean Up Australia after.
“The audit helps students determine what should be placed in the normal bin and what should be recycled.”
Making students aware of their impact on the environment, Ms Schutz said she hoped the initiative would help students consider their actions.
“We talk about where the bins are located in the school to make sure the students utilise them,” she said.
“I think at Mil Lel we are always interested in taking care of our small community and everyone is heavily invested in the area.”
Four environmental leaders will be a key speakers at the school’s event explaining how the event ties in with their Young Engagement Leadership Program (YELP) projects.
“We learn about what rubbish actually is, how to prevent littering, what to do if you see rubbish and sustainable practices in general as the year progresses,” Ms Schutz said.
“The leadership program works well with Clean Up Australia Day as the students come up with sustainable farming, waste management and water management strategies the school can implement.”
Mount Gambier City Council will host a clean-up in the central business district on Sunday, which is open to the public.
Held from 10am until 12pm at the Cave Gardens, council encourages sporting clubs, families, individuals and groups to bring their own gloves and participate in the clean-up.
A free barbecue lunch will be provided by Rotary Lakes for all volunteers following the event.
