Enviroschools Intern Sophie Handford talks about spending the day at Rangi Ruru Girls’ as the school begins it’s Enviroschools journey. She was lucky enough to be joined by Dr Jane Goodall for the occasion…
Arriving in Ōtautahi, I knew it was going to be a good day. Not only was I about to meet the awesome girls at Rangi Ruru Girls’, and the one and only Dr Jane Goodall, but Tamanuiterā was out to greet me.
I arrived at the kura and was met with the most welcoming smiles. Two of the students gave me a quick tour around the school and I was blown away.
Mia Sutherland , Dr Jane Goodall, Sophie Handford.
The Reuse Depot, living wall, and compostable rubbish bags were some of the many amazing initiatives the students were telling me about – it came as no surprise that they decided to become an Enviroschool!
“Two of the students gave me a quick tour around the school and I was blown away… it came as no surprise that they decided to become an Enviroschool!”
Although Wednesday was the beginning of the Enviroschools journey at Rangi Ruru, it certainly wasn’t the start of their sustainability journey.
I felt extremely honoured to be able to witness the awesome mahi being done by Rangi Ruru and I can’t wait to go back and visit as I know there will be new initiatives up and running, with even more girls involved.
After the tour, around 600 girls piled into the chapel and we heard from Dr Jane.
Dr Jane Goodall gives some aroha to the tree she has planted.
I was moved to tears as she told us to never underestimate the indomitable human spirit we all have.
She reminded us that every day we make an impact and we get to choose what that impact is.
She also raised a point around how humans could be called the most intellectual species on this Earth but yet we are burning our own home down around us and not stopping to consider whether it’s a good idea…
I was then lucky enough to have a chat with Dr Jane in a group setting.
We all had a chance to ask her pānui and hear some stories she had to tell. She is such an incredible story teller.
We also planted a kōwhai tree to both recognise and symbolise the beginning of the Enviroschools journey at Rangi Ruru Girls’. Dr Jane even gave the tree a kiss 🙂
All in all, a very uplifting and inspiring day!
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