Atholl Heights’ recycling effort wins them first prize
The money that the Westville school won will be used to continue Atholl Heights' efforts to green their school and educate the learners about the importance of looking after the planet.
ATHOLL Heights Primary School is proud of the dedication and passion shown by the learners in the school’s Eco-Team.
The team won the CN Climate Champions competition where more than 200 entries were received from across South Africa.
Not only did the school win a R17 500 first prize, but they also won an additional R4 000 leading up to the finals with their plastic-free lunch day and for their plastic bottle-top recycling efforts. Over 150kg of tops were collected.
Also read: Kloof Junior Primary takes initiative in recycling
The learners embraced the Climate Challenge enthusiastically. The team worked on the model of a penguin during their break times for more than a month, all while encouraging the children in the school to bring plastic bottle tops and tags for recycling.
Educator Debbie Crawford said they used these to make up their recycling mascot penguin.
“It was an educational experience in many ways. We learnt more about the plight of penguins and the importance of recycling. We have done a presentation with our model for our school of more than 800 children, reminding them of the part that each one of them can play in recycling and saving our beautiful planet. We all fell in love with our beautiful recycling mascot, Penelope the Penguin.
“All winnings will be used to continue our efforts to green our school and educate the learners about the importance of looking after our planet and all who live on it,” she said.
The Eco-Team meets during breaks at school to do various activities related to recycling.
“We have an ongoing project to collect tops and tags for the Sweetheart Foundation, which donates wheelchairs to people in need. We have a veggie garden which we hope will soon supply families in need with fresh veggies. We recycle e-waste, as well. The team has done a beach clean-up in support of World Oceans Day at uShaka Beach, Durban.
“We choose to do this to create a better environment for everyone and to educate others about the importance of looking after our world,” said Crawford.
Another educator Nadia Buttignon said Penelope was created to encourage the children in the school to keep recycling.
“We chose a penguin because they are a vulnerable and endangered species. She will also be used to educate children about climate change and its effects on wildlife.”
The Eco-Team said they enjoyed creating Penelope, their King Penguin Recycling Mascot, and she is loved.
“We hope that she will make our Atholl Heights families really think about the importance of recycling,” added Crawford.
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