A highlight of National Water Week celebrations in the Shire next week will be a ‘Waterwise' accreditation ceremony at Frederickton Public School next Tuesday (23 October). Frederickton Public School will be the first in Kempsey Shire to receive recognition as a 'Waterwise School' under an innovative water education program initiated and sponsored by Kempsey Shire Council's Macleay Water, through a regional partnership of local water authorities and Cascade Environmental Education Centre.

Macleay Water last year joined with water authorities in Coffs Harbour Shire and Clarence Valley to pioneer the WA Water Corporation's ‘Waterwise Schools' program in local schools. The program focuses on education for real-life student learning about water sustainability issues.

Anne-Maree Burke Manager Macleay Water said, 'The ‘Waterwise Schools' Program takes a whole-of-school, long-term approach to addressing water sustainability issues with students and provides teaching support to ensure ongoing and fun delivery. The program links Waterwise issues to the curriculum studied by students across all major learning areas. It also promotes active citizenship and encourages community/school involvement and education.'

A pilot of the program was begun at Frederickton Public School early this year with students undertaking many activities as part of the accreditation process which recognises their understanding of and commitment to water sustainability.

Bob Piper, Principal of Frederickton Public School, commenting on the impact of the program at the school said ‘It has been an extremely worthwhile, educational experience for all our students. Environmentally it's very powerful in tackling the issues that we all face around water conservation, sustainability and responsible usage. Learning outcomes for our students have been transferred into their homes with students encouraging parents to conserve water in ways they observed and learnt about. At Frederickton Public School we see this as being an important ongoing component of our curriculum.'

As well as using the Waterwise message for curriculum activities in and outside the classroom, Frederickton Public school - with advice from Council - was successful in obtaining an Australian Government ‘Investing In Our School' Grant which has enabled them to harvest rainwater from the school's roof areas into rainwater tank. This water will now be used for watering the new turf on the school oval. Further plans are afoot in alliance with Macleay Water to initiate further water recycling opportunities.

Everyone at Kempsey Shire Council, and I am sure throughout the Shire, is very proud of the students at Frederickton Public School for their achieving their Waterwise accreditation. I can't think of a better way to celebrate National Water week than to say a great big congratulations to teachers, students and everyone involved in this fantastic achievement!' concluded Mrs Burke.
The Waterwise program will be rolled out to other schools in the Macleay over the coming months.