DWELLINGUP Primary School’s gardener and handyman is known for his pristine gardens and has been recognised as WA’s best school support staff member.
Geoff Warren won the title of WA School Support Staff Member of the Year at the 2009 WA Education Awards last Monday.
Mr Warren said the best part of his job was encouraging a love for the environment among students.
“Opening the minds of the students to the importance of sustainability and encouraging active participation in our wonderful environment are really important to me,” Mr Warren said.
The environmental program at Dwellingup Primary School consists of a weekly group meeting where students plant vegetables in the school garden with the help of Mr Warren.
Students sort and recycle aluminium cans, and have chickens and a worm farm.
WA Education Award judges said Dwellingup Primary School was lucky to have such a dedicated staff member like Mr Warren.
Mr Warren said his work at Dwellingup Primary School was very rewarding.
“Recently I worked with two students who didn’t get on well with one another to plan, design and build a fence as a teambuilding exercise,” he said.