The school's Dirty Dozen team was presented with the prestigious Award of Excellence 2010 Year of Learning for Sustainability for the Riverina region.

The Dirty Dozen is made up of students from years 3 to 6 who have worked on projects to enhance the school, including a heritage garden, a billabong, the Wiradjuri Walk, Lizard Lounge, composting, recycling and a vegetable garden.

Co-ordinator Kristy Lemon said the win came as a nice surprise.

"It is this year's Dirty Dozen group who received the recognition but it's a combination of what we are doing now and what has been done by all students over the past four years," she said.

"It is great to be the regional winner. I feel extremely proud because this has been a whole school effort.

"The Dirty Dozen is a different opportunity for students to succeed. Each year we go through an application process and have lots of kids keen to be part of it and it makes it really difficult to choose 12."

This is not the first time work done by the environmentally friendly students has been recognised.

In 2008 they won a Tidy Towns award and the school has also been recognised for their waste management program.

The winning submission included a DVD showcasing all of the environmental projects carried out at Griffith Public.

Team leader Terry Murphy played a big part in the win. He wrote the lyrics to the song Dig It Up Baby that featured on the DVD.

For their efforts they were presented a striking banner and a special trophy plate.