Gisborne’s water-only school

Lucy ( front ) with Isabelle ( back left ) and Jake. Picture Shawn Smits.

St Brigid’s Primary School in Gisborne is streaming ahead as the region’s first water-only school.

Choosing tap water as the No.1 option for hydration is being encouraged within the school to benefit the health of the community and the environment.

The water-only school policy, which is being supported by local supplier Western Water, ensures students have easy access to drinking water.

The company has installed an extra drinking fountain on the school grounds and has given all pupils and teachers reusable drink bottles.

Deputy principal Kathleen McCann said the school would also work towards reducing the sale of sugary drinks in the canteen, which already did not sell fizzy drinks.

Staff, parents and carers are being encouraged to become role models by not bringing sugary drinks into the school.

The water-only schools concept has already flowed through some schools in the Goulburn Valley and Geelong regions.