The latest round of funding from Glencore’s Schools P&C Grants program has provided more than $270,000 for projects that address long-term needs of schools.

A total of 21 grants were made during the current round of funding with projects ranging from the purchase of new technology, to installation of additional seating and sun-safe equipment, and noticeboard signage.

Glencore’s Community Relations Manager, Craig Strudwick, said, “It’s wonderful to have such a high level of interest in these grants and to be in a position to provide such a large number of schools with funding for key projects.

“These schools are located within communities that are central to our Australian coal business, so it’s extraordinarily important to us that we continue to support them.

“The 21 projects will enable each school to deliver on important and much-needed projects, which is exactly what our grants program sets out to achieve.

“It’s extremely rewarding to see them moving forward.”

Mt Pleasant Public School, a school of 53 students, is investing in new technology such as laptops and robotic and engineering equipment.

With a grant of $13,165, they have budgeted to purchase coding activities that will provide hands on experience in creating, building and testing design.

“Our school community is grateful for the generosity of Glencore over many years,” Mt Pleasant Public-School P & C President, Mrs Jane Bower, said.

“The financial support has enabled the school to purchase state-of-the-art electronic and robotic learning resources.

“Our dedicated teachers can use these additional resources to enhance the focused and quality education the students at MPPS already receive.

“As parents and families of MPPS, we cannot thank Glencore enough for their commitment to our amazing little school.”

Of the 21 grants delivered, 13 were to schools in Queensland worth more than $162,000 with the remaining eight for schools based in New South Wales worth almost $110,000.

Across the Hunter Region:

• Muswellbrook High School was granted $12,250 for picnic tables which will provide much needed additional seating for meal breaks. The tables will provide an additional 140 seats.
• Muswellbrook South Public School received $15,000 for two giant fans, one for above the stage area of the hall, while the other is for a covered outdoor learning space.
• St Catherine's Catholic College, Singleton needed weatherproof and SunSmart seating for their sports fields. Glencore funding of $14,820 will deliver seating that will also provide an additional lunch area.
• Singleton High School received $13,965 to purchase 16 sets of iSTEM Virtual Reality Headsets.
• Singleton Heights Public School will use their $14,000 grant to purchase safety rubber soft fall for their new play equipment.
• Kirkton Public School will put the $14,000 they’ve secured towards a vegetable garden, kitchen benches and teacher training.
• King Street Public School plan to use more than $10,000 in funding for the time-honoured ‘Cracker Night’, which has been held within the Singleton community for over 20 years.

The full list of New South Wales P&C grants is:

For further information, please contact:

Nathan Ryan
m: +61 487 549 843
e: Nathan Ryan

Notes for editors

About Glencore

Glencore is one of the world’s largest global diversified natural resource companies and a major producer and marketer of more than 60 responsible-sourced commodities that advance everyday life. The Group's operations comprise around 150 mining and metallurgical sites and oil production assets.

With a strong footprint in over 35 countries in both established and emerging regions for natural resources, Glencore's industrial and marketing activities are supported by a global network of more than 30 marketing offices. Glencore's customers are industrial consumers, such as those in the automotive, steel, power generation and oil sectors. We also provide financing, logistics and other services to producers and consumers of commodities. Glencore's companies employ around 135,000 people, including contractors.

Glencore is proud to be a member of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and the International Council on Mining and Metals. We are an active participant in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. Our ambition is to be a net zero total emissions company by 2050.

For more information, visit Glencore's website. 

About Glencore Australia

In Australia, Glencore produces coal, copper, cobalt, nickel, zinc, lead, silver and gold from 26 mining operations. We also operate metals processing assets in Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, including metals smelters, concentrators and refineries.

We are among Australia’s largest producers and marketers of natural resources, connecting Australian resources with industrial customers around the world. Through our diverse portfolio, we responsibly supply the resources that advance everyday life.

We employ 17,690 people in Australia and in 2020 contributed over $13.8 billion to the regional, state and national economies. This included spend of $9.5 billion with 7,890 businesses across the country, as well as $2.1 billion in government tax and royalty payments.

We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful workplace for our people, to respecting the environment, to engaging openly and constructively with the Traditional Owners on whose lands we operate and to bringing value to local communities.

Glencore recognises our responsibility to contribute to the global effort to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. Our ambition is to be a net zero total emissions company by 2050. In August 2021 we increased our medium-term emission reduction target to a 50% reduction by 2035 and introduced a new short-term target of a 15% reduction by 2026.

About Glencore's coal business in Australia

Glencore is one of Australia's largest coal producers with 17 operational mines across New South Wales and Queensland.

We provide employment for almost 10,000 Australians and in 2020 managed the production of about 99 million tonnes of thermal and coking coal, predominantly for export.

We have a strong safety and environmental performance and play an active role in the development of low emission coal technology. Find out more about Glencore Coal Australia.