National program director Lynne Strong congratulated Young Public School for forging partnerships with farmers and environmentalists, with sponsors and businesses and with not-for-profit organisations and communities.

READ ALSO: Chances of storms early this week

“Research has time and time again shown that kids who go to schools that have strong relationships with business and the community have a much greater opportunity to thrive,” she said.

“Businesses and communities who engage with schools can enhance the delivery of education and students can see their learnings have real-world significance. When schools, parents, business and communities partner together great things can happen in the lives of children and young adults.”

Kreative Koalas, a program designed to create awareness of Australia’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (SDG), asks schools to design a community project and call to action, and to display their interpretive artwork on a giant fibreglass koala. 

READ ALSO: State recognition for Young library

Class 2/3 studied Responsible Production and Consumption. 

Class 4D studied Life Below the Water.

Class 2/3 created Koko Kompost Koala, which won the Australian Wind Services Award for Best Kreative Koala Artwork, and instigated a partnership with Cleanway to reduce and recycle waste at the school.

As part of their studies they were also visited by Wool Young Farming Champion and Sustainability Ambassador Adele Smith.

Adele spoke to the students about how farmers have an important role to play in responsible production and wool as a sustainable fibre. 

Under guidance from Finn Martin from Local Land Services students went on an excursion to a local creek.  Class 4D’s was also named the Holcim Reserve Grand Champion Kreative Koala.