- Water Corporation's Waterwise Schools education program has reached over 431,000 students across three decades
- Program builds long-term behaviour change, helping to secure our water supply
- Hillarys Primary School was the inaugural waterwise school in 1995
Water Corporation's Waterwise Schools education program is celebrating a major milestone, marking 30 years of educating Western Australian students on the value of water and importance of conservation.
Beginning at Hillarys Primary School in 1995, the program has since reached more than 431,000 students, embedding waterwise behaviours in classrooms and communities.
As one of Western Australia's longest-running education initiatives, the program has evolved considerably over three decades.
From its early days using posters and props, it now delivers curriculum-linked resources, interactive digital tools, and dynamic in-school incursions featuring pop up tents and silent disco style headphones, led by a dedicated team of educators.
The Waterwise Schools education program supports students from pre-primary to year 10 and aligns with all major learning areas, with a strong focus on STEM and humanities and social sciences. It also contributes to key cross-curriculum priorities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures, and the Caring for Country sustainability framework.
Among the most in-demand offerings is Water in Aboriginal Culture, an incursion that explores 60,000 years of water knowledge and the deep cultural and spiritual connection Aboriginal people have with water.
The program's success comes at a critical time as our summers get longer and hotter and reliability of rainfall declines. Climate change continues to have a profound impact on water sources, making water conservation more important than ever.
By fostering a lifelong appreciation for water in young people, the Waterwise Schools education program plays a vital role in building long-term behaviour change and helps secure our water supply for generations to come.
This year, Water Corporation is on track to reach 40,000 students and, by 2030, aims to engage 50,000 students annually as part of the WA Government's Kep Katitjin - Gabi Kaadadjan (Waterwise Perth Action Plan 3), supporting the vision to transform Perth into a leading waterwise city and Peel into a leading waterwise region.
Comments attributed to Water Minister Don Punch:
"Generations of children have participated in the Waterwise Schools education program over the past 30 years, and it's fantastic to see Water Corporation reaching more students than ever before.
"The program is key to creating lasting behaviour change. By educating students from a young age, we're empowering future generations to make informed, sustainable decisions about water use.
"With climate change continuing to impact WA's water sources, it's never been more important to equip young people with the skills and knowledge to use water wisely.
"This is by far the largest program of its kind in Australia, and the feedback from teachers, parents and students is overwhelmingly positive."
Comments attributed to Education Minister Sabine Winton:
"When children learn about the importance of water from a young age, those lessons often stay with them for life. Programs like Waterwise Schools play a powerful role in shaping the next generation of environmentally responsible people.
"The program is an excellent example of real-world learning in schools. It supports key learning areas, particularly in STEM and humanities, while encouraging students to think critically about sustainability.
"It also provides teachers with engaging, curriculum-aligned resources that enrich classroom learning, and supports our educators to deliver meaningful lessons on water, climate, and community responsibility."
