By Alesha Capone
Werribee Primary School teacher Jo Wembridge has been recognised as an outstanding environmental educator and sustainability leader.
Mrs Wembridge has been selected as one of three finalists for the Primary School Teacher of the Year award, in the annual ResourceSmart School Awards. The other finalists are Vanessa Smith from Truganina South Primary School and Glenn Jepson from Kunyung Primary School in Mount Eliza.
For the past eight years, Mrs Wembridge has been heavily involved in ResourceSmart Schools, a program offered by Sustainability Victoria.
Since 2012, Werribee Primary School has saved more than $66,700 thanks to several environmental initiatives which Mrs Wembridge has helped to introduce, including a zero waste policy.
Under Mrs Wembridge’s leadership, the school was also named the first five-star ResourceSmart school in the western metropolitan region.
Mrs Wembridge said she was thrilled when a colleague nominated her for the ResourceSmart School Award.
“It was just nice to be recognised because you just do your job and do it for the kids, it’s just nice to think somebody else appreciates what you are doing,” she said.
Winners will be announced on June 13.
