WARWICK East State School students have left a long-lasting legacy after planting six new trees in the school grounds yesterday.

Bunnings’ activities organiser Deb Harrison showed the students how.

“Bunnings donated six native bushes to the school for National Tree Day. We have a grade 7 class and grade 3/4 class helping us plant them,” she said.

“We do this nationally in conjunction with Planet Ark and choose a local school each year to donate the trees to.

“Bunnings believes sustainability is very important and we encourage it in our stores and in the local community.”

Student Callum Radley said it was important to plant trees because most were being chopped down and they were good for the environment.

His mate Angus Warmsley said he wanted to help plant the trees because the environment was being ruined by people cutting down trees and cars polluting the air.

Year 3/4 teacher Neil Burley said his students were the sustainability class and the energy police around the school, so it was fitting they helped with the tree planting.

“The class go around and make sure teachers have turned off their heaters and fans and are responsible for monitoring water use and rubbish – our school grounds are very clean,” he said.

He said planting the trees would mean a great deal to the students for years to come.

“I went here as a kid and when I was in year 7 I got to plant the first tree in the forest and I know I was chuffed to be able to do that, so it will be the same for these kids,” he said.

“It’s pretty special to have your very own tree that you have planted. We as a school are very environmentally conscious.”

Mr Burley said the school would continue to contribute to environmental sustainability by making an eco-complex.