Minister for Education and Training Verity Firth today congratulated Merrylands East Public School on becoming the first NSW school to win a United Nations Association of Australia World Environment Day award.

Ms Firth said the school took out the Education/School category for its outstanding environment initiatives and educational programs.

"I would like to congratulate the students and staff on this outstanding achievement, which is a first for NSW," Ms Firth said.

"Merrylands East Public School is a shining example of an Australian school leading the way in conserving energy and water, as well as teaching kids about global environment issues.

"The school was the first in NSW to install a major photovoltaic system consisting of 36 solar panels to generate 6Kwh of power, preventing approximately 8200kg of Greenhouse gases from being released into the atmosphere each year.

"Other initiatives include installing four water tanks and harvesting water from roof tops for irrigation.

"The school has also worked hard to rejuvenate school grounds into gardens, and fruit and vegetable patches."

Ms Firth said Merrylands East Public School had embraced the United Nations Decade for Education for Sustainable Development and had been working to build a more sustainable environment through a broad range of whole school strategies.

"They have moved beyond the recycling of paper, cardboard and waste to focus on learning about new technologies in renewable energies through the installation of a major photovoltaic system and water harvesting devices," she said.

"Students monitor and are responsible for the environment at the school, giving them a sense of environmental custodianship."

The Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, Carmel Tebbutt, said Merrylands East Public School was an outstanding example of students and staff putting environmental education into practice.

"These students and staff have made huge savings in energy and water use which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions," Ms Tebbutt said.

"Everyone has a responsibility to contribute to the fight against climate change and even the simplest actions, such as turning off a light when you're not in the room, can help."

Local Member for Granville David Borger congratulated Merrylands East Public School on their outstanding achievement.

"I am so pleased to see Principal John Goh and his great team fashioning a new vision for the future of their school - a vision that values our local environment and teaches students the importance of being environmentally sustainable," Mr Borger said.

"This is a school that practices what it preaches and I am very proud of all the students and teaching staff."

The Student Representative Council initiated the "Carbon Cops" system, under which students turn off all lights and non-core electrical appliances at the commencement of recess and lunch, and at the end of the school day.

This year, the school has also introduced "Water Watchers" to ensure all taps are turned off properly.

Download Ministerial Media Release (PDF 49kB)