Rewards Roadshow Recap: Leg 3 – Western Cape
The last and final leg of the National Roadshow took place on Friday the 14th of March at Workshop 17 in the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town.
The Western Cape & National ceremony marked the culmination of our travels, celebrating Sustainable Schools across South Africa. The evening event was a time for networking, reflection on the past year, honouring the regional winners and recognition of the “Most Sustainable School” award national winner. It was a fitting conclusion to a year of collective national achievement, where over R40,000 in prizes and resources were awarded to schools for their dedication to environmental stewardship.
Winner: National Sustainable School of the Year
Earning both the Western Cape and National “Most Sustainable School” titles was Pinelands High School, which stood out for exceptional commitment to environmental education and sustainable practices. Pinelands High was recognised for having a holistic approach to sustainability including on-going waste management, biodiversity enhancement strategies and staff development activities in ESD. The school’s journey to success has been over five years in the making, showcasing how commitment, determination, and collaboration can create lasting positive impact and become an example for schools across the country.
Western Cape Winners
The following awards were presented to Western Cape winners for their contributions to specific Sustainable Schools Focus Areas;
Biodiversity Network 1st Place: Battswood Primary School maintain an innovative veld garden and undertake community outreach initiatives that foster local environmental education.
Health & Well-Being 1st Place: St Mary’s RC Primary School employ impactful health education programmes and wellness initiatives that promote overall well-being within the school and local community.
Energy & Climate Action 1st Place: John Graham Primary School integrate practical sustainability lessons, including water conservation efforts and energy-saving measures, into school activities.
Water & Sanitation 1st Place: St James RC Primary School undertake innovative water-saving initiatives, including cistern water displacement and promoting water conservation awareness.
Production, Consumption & Waste 1st Place: Pinelands High School implement comprehensive waste management strategies, including successful recycling campaigns and sustainable classroom practices.
Community & Social Responsibility 1st Place: St Mary’s RC Primary School did extensive community outreach, including charity drives and partnerships with local shelters.
In addition to the Focus Area category awards, special prizes were awarded for innovation and commitment, including the Rising Star Award to Willows Primary School and the Green Fingers Award to Parkwood Primary School, recognising their outstanding contributions to sustainability.
The winning schools represent just a fraction of the 138 schools involved in the Sustainable Schools Programme, all implementing activities from tree planting and installing rainwater tanks to hosting community clean-up events and contributing to a shared vision of nurturing a generation of environmentally literate citizens.
Acknowledgements
Our sincerest thank you to our incredible key partners Lapalala Wilderness School , One Planet SA, Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies, Mapula Trust, and Leisure Charitable Trust, for their invaluable support in making the 2024 rewards ceremonies a success. We would also like to extend our gratitude to the Western Cape Education Department , represented by Suanne Rampou, for attending and supporting the final leg of the ceremony, underscoring the importance of environmental education in the region. The reach and impact of the Sustainable Schools Programme is only possible due to the dedication and collaboration of schools, educators, and sustainability-focused organisations across South Africa – we could not do this without our extensive and supportive community network!
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