We are a Wastewise School at Matakana. Wastewise is an Education for Sustainability programme that assists schools to reduce their waste and be more aware of the waste they are creating. It promotes best waste reduction practices that the children can transfer to their everyday life and homes. We live in a waste conscious community and our practices support initiatives within the community, like our recent project in which every child made and took home a reusable bag.

The Wastewise message supports the visions, principals and and values statements of the New Zealand curriculum. Messages about waste reduction and awareness are delivered in school assemblies through the School Councillors. Students are directly involved in Paper recycling every week. We have a worm farm and composting facilities as well as a staff recycling system for organic waste, plastics and paper. Children and parents are gently encouraged to bring in waste free lunchboxes. We have a pack in, pack out lunchbox policy so that any packaging that does come into school is returned home to be recycled.