Coles & Planet Ark Sustainable Schools Competition 2025 winners announced

By Emma Lucey 11 November 2025

Once again, the Coles and Planet Ark Sustainable Schools Competition has awarded 20 Aussie schools $5,000 each, giving students the chance to turn innovative sustainability ideas into action.

Schools proposing initiatives with the greatest environmental impact were considered and judged by a panel of sustainability experts and educators – and there was a huge range of exceptional projects to choose from! 

The winning schools stretch far and wide from city dwellers to rural towns. Let’s take a look at some of the winners.  

Wanneroo Secondary College 

In Western Australia, Wanneroo Secondary College will be creating a seasonal bush garden aligned with the six Noongar seasons (Birak, Bunuru, Djeran, Makuru, Djilba, Kambarang). The aim is to restore the natural environment surrounding their Learning Centre, where they teach 35 high school students with Autism and other learning and mental health challenges. 

Rapid Bay Primary School 

In South Australia, the students at Rapid Bay Primary School (pictured) will be revitalising the Yattagolinga Creek and the surrounding catchment by planting natives, managing weeds, and regulating water flow. These measures will aim to restore health and resilience of the creek ecosystem, creating habitats for native birds, insects and aquatic species. 

Waverley Primary School 

Waverley Primary School in Tasmania will be developing a closed-loop composting system to reduce food waste from their semi-commercial kitchen and Community Dining Hall. The compost created will support the school’s micro-forest and kitchen garden, while helping cut down on the amount of organic waste being produced by the school. 

Groverly State School 

The Richmond Birdwing vine is a threatened climbing vine native to southeastern Queensland and is the host plant of the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly. Students at Groverly State School in Brisbane will use its $5,000 to create a living corridor consisting of Richmond Birdwing Vines, pollinator-friendly natives, and a native stingless bee hive to enrich the habitat.   

The full list of 20 schools awarded grants to turn their sustainability visions into reality are below: 

Victoria: 

• Epsom Primary School 

• Broadford Primary School 

• Saltwater P-9 College 

• St Columba’s College 

• Ainslie Parklands Primary School 

• Montrose Primary 

• Lilydale Heights College  

 Western Australia: 

• Coolgardie Primary School 

• Wanneroo Secondary College – Learning Centre 

• Brookton District High School 

 Tasmania: 

• Waverley Primary School   

South Australia 

• Aldgate Primary School 

• Rapid Bay Primary School 

 Queensland  

• Grovely State School 

 New South Wales 

• Mary Immaculate Primary School Eagle Vale 

• Merriwa Central School 

• Central West Leadership Academy 

• Korowal School 

• Nashdale Public School 

Christmas Island 

• Christmas Island District High School   

This year’s National Recycling Week runs from November 10–16, and Coles proudly returns as the major sponsor for the fourth consecutive year. To explore additional recycling initiatives, visit nationalrecyclingweek.com.au.