On February 22nd, property managers and caretakers from several schools gathered at Howick Primary School for an enlightening and collaborative workshop aimed at enhancing sustainability practices within educational institutions. Participating schools included Somerville Intermediate School, Howick Intermediate, Mission Heights Junior College, Howick Primary School, and Pakuranga College.

The workshop, hosted at Howick Primary School, featured various informative sessions and demonstrations led by experts in the field. One highlight was the presentation by gardening expert Ben Zhang, who discussed health and safety considerations when using mulchers. These mulchers, available for borrowing by local waste minimisation schools, were showcased with demonstrations on proper usage, cleaning, and maintenance tips to ensure longevity and smooth operation for all users.

Nigel, the Waste Minimisation Coordinator, seized the opportunity to introduce new council recycling rules and distributed informative materials, including posters and pamphlets in multiple languages, to each participating school. The aim was to encourage dissemination of this valuable information throughout the school community, fostering a culture of responsible waste management.

Paul introduced the concept of bio-char, with several schools eagerly collecting their free wheelie bin bio-char to utilize within their own school environments.

Following the formal sessions, attendees engaged in lively discussions, exchanging experiences and ideas to further enhance the sustainability efforts within their respective schools. The consensus among participants was clear: regular workshops and networking events are essential for sharing best practices and practical know-how, ultimately saving time and effort in addressing common challenges.

The success of the workshop was made possible thanks to the gracious hosting by Howick Primary School, who provided the space and branches for demonstrations. Special thanks are also extended to Somerville Intermediate School, particularly Malcolm, for assisting in transporting the mulcher to the workshop site.

As the community looks forward to future events, the spirit of collaboration and commitment to sustainability continues to flourish, ensuring that our schools remain not only beautiful but also environmentally conscious and sustainable for generations to come.