Primary school students from across Australia have won their share of $20,000 worth of prizes in a national sustainability schools’ competition, ‘Circular Champions’, which invited them to work together to develop creative ways of re-using plastic bottles whilst demonstrating the Aussie values of fair go, respect, inclusion and mateship.
The competition is part of Aussie of the Month – a student recognition program that rewards the characteristics of personal endeavour, teamwork and contribution to community, and is the younger sibling to the prestigious Australian of the Year Awards.
Students brought their ideas to life, turning plastic bottles into bird feeders, planters, stationery holders and works of art including a Galapagos Tortoise.
“The class focus was the Galapagos Tortoise as they’ve been studying the Galapagos Island for the past term,” explained Michelle Carr, who submitted the entry from Oran Park Public School, NSW. “With the Aussie of the Month Respect in mind, they have researched how we can help make a difference in these islands; they have chosen to use rubbish or a waste product for their art piece.”
The talented winners received a bumper prize pack of Pilot Pen classroom stationery, including Frixion erasable gel pens and highlighters, whiteboard markers, ballpoints, refills, and Sellotape safety dispensers. Jarrad Murray, Head of Marketing, Pilot Pen Australia, hand delivered the prize to Wakehurst Public School in NSW (pictured).
Jarrad said, “We were thrilled to see the excitement, imagination and enthusiasm the students brought to the Circular Champions Challenge. We have been a proud partner of the Aussie of the Month program for 20 years this year and we are keen to encourage people to refill their pens when the ink finishes as part of our commitment to a circular economy.”
Circular Champions
Balcatta Primary School, WA
Binya Public School, NSW
Dianella Heights Primary School, WA
Kingsgrove Public School, NSW
Morphett Vale East School, SA
Mount Egerton Primary School, VIC
Oran Park Public School, NSW
Our Lady Queen of Peace School, SA
Sacred Heart Primary School, VIC
St Mary’s College Seymour, VIC
Wakehurst Public School, NSW
Westmead Christian Grammar School, NSW
Wongan Hills District High School, WA
Aussie of the Month is free to join! To start presenting it in your school, sign up now.
