Schools meet for collaboration and environmental action
Lynwood Senior High School hosted a vibrant celebration of student-led sustainability at this year’s WasteSorted Schools Student Meet.
The event, attended by 223 students and 28 staff from 21 schools across Perth, showcased innovation, collaboration and practical action.
Guided by teacher Natalie Paterson, Lynwood’s Year 9 Environmental and Life Sciences students organised tours, facilitated interactive activities between speaker sessions and delivered a dynamic presentation of the school’s sustainability initiatives.
Staff and students also heard from Mazenod College, Belmont City College and St Norbert College about their experiences in establishing and managing sustainability projects.
“Inspirational to walk and see sustainability and innovative waste solutions in action – it helped my budding group of students see what we could aspire to at my school.”
Carolyn, International School of Western Australia
This year’s guest speaker was Donut Waste founder Sharka Hornakova, who described how she built a career that aligned with her values and strengths by reducing waste and recycling coffee grounds and other commonly discarded items.
“We had such a lovely day at the Student Meet and it really inspired our Environmental Champions Committee.”
Michelle, Belmont City College
The student meet coincided with Lynwood’s sustainability expo, adding an extra level of engagement. Year 8 students developed and ran their own stalls and the time and knowledge contributed by external organisations enriched the experience for visiting students and the school community alike.
“We had 11.816 kg of clothes weighed in and an incredible 23.694 kg weighed out. It was a joy to watch a true swap happening right before my eyes – students bringing in items, finding something they loved in return and seeing their contributions picked up by someone else. The circular magic in action!”
Stephanie, Care to Rewear
The day concluded with the Student Meet Pledges board overflowing with commitments for student action on waste and recycling in their schools. It was a powerful illustration of a quote shared during Belmont College’s presentation: Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.
To find out about participating in future events or learn more about the WasteSorted Schools Student Meet, contact the WasteSorted Schools team or watch the Student Meet video.
Attending stall holders:
- Birds of Prey WA
- Care to Rewear
- Containers for Change
- Department of Education
- Fair Game
- Give Write
- Keep Australia Beautiful WA
- One World Centre
- South East Regional Centre for Urban Landcare (SERCUL)
- The BTH Project / Bottle Top Hill
- WasteSorted Schools
- Water Corporation
Attending schools:
- Armadale Senior High school
- Belmont City College
- Como Secondary College
- Emmanuel Catholic College
- Fountain College
- Governor Stirling Senior High School
- Halls Head College
- International School of WA
- John Curtin College of the Arts
- Kalamunda Senior High School
- Kent Street Senior High School
- Lynwood Senior High School
- Mazenod College
- Mindarie Senior College
- Morley Senior High School
- Ocean Reef Senior High School
- St Marks Anglican Community School
- St Norbert College
- Wanneroo Secondary College
- Wesley College
- Willetton Senior High School