The Overseas School of Colombo (OSC) has achieved a remarkable milestone by winning the global Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) Award for 2024. Competing against entries from 46 countries, OSC’s Young Geckos secured the top spot in the 11-14-year-old article grouping, marking a significant achievement in the International Schools category. This victory is a testament to OSC’s dedication to environmental education, a journey that began more than 20 years ago under the leadership of Mr. Ian Lockwood and developed in 2020 with the implementation of the Eco-Schools accreditation guided by Mr. David Poulus, who founded OSC’s Eco-Schools committee.

Reflecting on the programme, David Poulus remarked, “The highlight of the Young Reporters programme, for me, is to see how happy everyone is once we begin working. We all feel great when we’re out there cleaning up... we get that deeper sense of reward, like we’re achieving something special, and it just makes you feel good”. This sentiment captures the essence of the YRE initiative, where young students gain immense satisfaction from making a tangible impact on their environment.The YRE programme, an initiative of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), is a global platform that empowers young people to investigate, research, and share solutions to environmental challenges.

OSC’s participation in this programme underscores the school’s broader commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. The Young Geckos comprising - Dylan, Flynn, Milana, Benjy, Ben, Kyan and Jasper, impressed the international judges with their inspirational article, which highlighted their innovative efforts in tackling local environmental issues, particularly through recycling and waste management. OSC’s journey toward environmental leadership also includes achieving the prestigious Eco-Schools Green Flag, a recognition that involves a rigorous seven-step process and an environmental audit every two years.

This ongoing commitment to sustainability has led to significant advancements, including reducing the school’s carbon footprint and recycling organic matter into compost for the gardens. Service Group Leader; Senaka Samarasundera, reflecting on the impact of the Young Reporters, commented, “What I really appreciate about the Young Reporters is how youthful the group is, which guarantees a sustainable path ahead for OSC”. Talking to him truly highlights the holistic, forward-thinking approach of OSC, where the enthusiasm and dedication of its young students lay the true foundation for longterm sustainability.

Central to these efforts are OSC’s dedicated service groups. Every Thursday, the Recyc l ing & Sustainability group collects and processes paper, glass, plastic, and tins, partnering with organisations like Viridis for plastic recycling. Meanwhile, the Gecko Reporters for the Environment lead weekly cleanups, educating the community about the dangers of burning plastic, while steadfastly promoting eco-friendly practices. Housing & Habitat creates sustainability initiatives like garden beds and composts, and Eco-Club students explore ways of decreasing the school’s environmental footprint.

The positive impact of these initiatives has even inspired the local community around the school to adopt more sustainable habits. Looking ahead, OSC is implementing a renewable energy plan, including IoT installations across the campus to monitor energy use and a new solar panel project to further reduce environmental impact. These initiatives, along with the continued efforts of OSC’s service environmental groups, ensure that sustainability remains a core focus of the school’s mission.

In celebration of their mammoth, first-place achievement, the Young Geckos will have their work featured in the Foundation for Environmental Education’s international communications. This recognition serves as a powerful testament to the impact these young reporters are making, and they are encouraged to continue sharing their success on social media, using the hashtag #YREwinners2024 to inspire others worldwide. We congratulate the Young Geckos and the entire OSC community for this outstanding achievement in their unwavering commitment to shaping a sustainable future!