Sustainable Schools Rewards Roadshow: Leg 1 – KwaZulu-Natal
Each year, the Sustainable Schools Rewards Ceremony recognises schools registered and active on the Programme for their dedication to environmental sustainability.
This year, we decided to celebrate a little bit differently, undertaking a National Roadshow with multiple Ceremony event stops en-route.
The energy was high and the joy contagious at this year’s KZN Regional Rewards Ceremony, the first stop in the inter-provincial journey recognising outstanding schools in the Sustainable Schools Programme.
Held at Longmarket Girls’ School, the event brought together 38 passionate teachers representing 27 participating KZN schools. This ceremony was organised in collaboration with One Planet SA, our incredible partners championing the Sustainable Schools Programme in KwaZulu-Natal.
Together, we celebrated their efforts to integrate sustainability into learning and school life — from waste reduction and water conservation to food gardening and biodiversity restoration.
Ceremony Highlights
Highlights from this ceremony included;
- Danville Park Girls’ High being awarded Most Sustainable School in KZN for their excellent work across several Focus Areas, with projects including a medicinal garden and vegetable tunnel.
- KwaNgubeni Primary receiving the Community Engagement Award for powerful outreach initiatives — as well as a clean-up kit generously donated by our partners Captain Fanplastic.
- Alice Surmon from Amanzimtoti Primary taking home the Environmental Education Champion award for going above and beyond to inspire a love of nature in her learners.
Other schools recognised in KZN for tackling environmental challenges under one of the 8 Sustainable Schools Focus Areas included:
- Biodiversity Conservation: Bambanani Primary School expanded their indigenous garden, planting 30 new species to enhance local biodiversity.
- Health & Well-being: Danville Park Girls’ High School established a medicinal garden and vegetable tunnel, promoting food security and wellness education.
- Energy & Climate Action: Shea O’Connor Combined School installed solar panels and hosted climate awareness campaigns.
- Marine Conservation: Amanzimtoti Primary School collaborated with local organisations on beach clean-ups and marine education.
- Water Conservation: Thembelihle Primary School introduced water-saving initiatives, including Tippy Taps and ‘Cistern Savers’ in toilets.
- Community Responsibility: Manor Gardens Primary School supported their local community through food donations and outreach programmes.
Prizes Awarded
KwaZulu-Natal schools were awarded over R50,800.00 in prize money and sustainability-related awards as a token of recognition for their outstanding sustainability efforts.
“It has been inspiring to see learners take the lead while teachers champion their efforts,” said Jocelyn Anderson, Programme Manager. “The commitment we’ve witnessed in KZN gives me so much confidence that we are nurturing a generation of eco-conscious citizens.”
Acknowledgements
We extend deep gratitude to One Planet SA and Longmarket Girls’ School for co-hosting the ceremony, as well as to Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropy, Mapula Trust, and Leisure Charitable Trust for their unwavering support in promoting environmental education.
Responses