http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2006/02/12/1139679480766.html?from=rss
Sherrill Nixon
"SINCE they began birdwatching, worm farming and gardening during their school day, St Helens Park public school students' grades have soared. Spotting echidnas and monitoring the health of local rivers near Campbelltown have done wonders for their maths and English marks. The students are beating the state average in the Basic Skills Test and their teachers and parents are reporting all-time high levels of engagement in class. Led by its principal Andrew Best, the school is at the forefront of an international movement to restore contact between city children and nature. Advocates say that if cities were more child-friendly and encouraging of a back-to-nature approach, children would learn more easily and they would be less likely to be overweight or need to take drugs such as Ritalin."
