The opportunity for Territorian schoolchildren to begin their water-saving journey at an earlier age has started this term as part of the popular That's My Water! campaign.
Now in its 10th year, the 10-week interactive, curriculum-aligned program by Power and Water has gained so much interest across Territory schools, 2025 is the first year to include Years 3 and 4.
Supported by the Finocchiaro CLP Government, the initiative sees students up to Year 7 take part in a series of fun, hands-on activities about water, the environment and ideas that support saving water at school, home and the community.
Minister for Essential Services Steve Edgington, who visited Year 3 and 4 students at the Good Shepherd Lutheran College (Leanyer campus), Darwin, said the program creates an opportunity for school children to begin their water-saving journey earlier and contribute to a more sustainable future for the Territory.
"This program is about more than education - it's about building a lifelong understanding and respect for water in our unique environment," he said.
"Engaging children in conversations about water sustainability is vital for the Territory's future water supply.
"In our year of action, certainty and security, helping future generations understand how important water is and how we can all play a part in water saving restores the unique liveability of the Territory."
Delivered in collaboration with local schools through an annual expression of interest process, the program encourages students to immerse themselves in hands-on activities that build their knowledge and skills in identifying water-saving opportunities both at school and at home.
Minister for Education and Training Jo Hersey said to date, That's My Water! has supported more than 6,500 children from more than 40 schools in the Northern Territory.
"By strengthening water literacy among schoolchildren, building awareness about where water comes from, how it is used and why it must be managed sustainably, the program supports future generations to be water conscious Territorians," she said.
"The program has already resulted in significant water-saving at schools through students uncovering leaking toilets to a major irrigation pipe failure.
"That's something worth celebrating, along with the program going for 10 years and the thousands of Territorian schoolchildren, including those from Robinson River School, who have taken part."
Other remote communities the program aims to work with include Yuendumu, Yuelamu, Engawala, Numbulwar and Warruri.
Dedicated online resources are available at here to help bush schools deliver the program to primary and middle school students or click on [http://bit.ly/4f30Xmv]
