The Enviroschools Approach

Enviroschools has five Guiding Principles – Ngā Mātāpono

• Empowered Learners participate in genuine ways in their community. Their creativity, perspectives and questions are valued and honoured. They feel connected to the whenua and support each other as a learning community to create meaningful change and hopeful action.
• Learning for Sustainability is a holistic, action and future-focused approach to learning, that engages our whole selves and addresses all aspects of our local and global environment.
  
• Te Ao Māori holds insights, knowledge and ways of being in relation to the taiao. Honouring this acknowledges the intrinsic relationship of tangata whenua with this land. When we are envisioning and taking action for a sustainable future in our community, we are guided by the history, knowledge, tikanga, traditions and aspirations of local hapū.
• Respect for Diversity is celebrated, and all forms of identity and ability are respected to foster a society that is fair, peaceful and cooperative. Cultural traditions and practices from all people are experienced, valued and appreciated in learning spaces, honouring practices led by that community. Access to safe and engaging learning is available to everyone.
• Sustainable Communities act in ways that nurture all aspects of nature, including people, now and in the future. By working together and supporting each other we create safe, healthy, equitable and thriving communities. 

In Enviroschools, sustainability is integrated into the whole school or centre life, by walking our talk and generating learning opportunities on the collective journey towards a healthy peaceful and sustainable environment. This holistic whole Enviroschools approach covers four key areas:

• Place- Wāhi,
• Practices – Tikanga,
• Programmes – Kaupapa Ako,
• People and Participation – Tangata

At the heart of Enviroschools is the Action Learning Cycle, encouraging an enquiry-based process of exploration, decision-making, design, action and reflection. It is a key tool that can be applied to a specific project or an entire process in an Enviroschools Journey.

Enviroschools is a journey on the pathway to creating a sustainable community. As the journey progresses, knowledge, experience and practice increase in depth and breadth. Enviroschools commit to working with the Enviroschools kaupapa, Guiding Principles and Whole Enviroschools Approach.

Enviroschools Holistic Reflection is a process Enviroschools undertake when they pause to consider the past, present and future of their journey. It is a process of open enquiry, which includes celebration of strengths and honesty about weaker areas as we explore opportunities for growth. It is a collaborative process of discussion, reflection and future planning based on contributions from a diverse range of people.

Reflection is an integral part of the Action Learning Cycle, helping us to make sense of our experiences, deepen our learning, and gain direction for the journey ahead.

The Action learning Cycle continues to guide our learning and action and the Reflect on Change section lays out questions that encourage honest review of what is happening, what this looks and feels like and how the Enviroschools Guiding Principles are progressing in your Enviroschools and community.

We invite you to use these questions, supported by other key reflection tools and activities, and your Enviroschools Facilitator, to describe, share and celebrate your Enviroschools journey and encourage a tamariki/ rangatahi centric approach in deciding what sharing and celebrating to undertake, and how to go about this.

Building a shared understanding of the Guiding Principles is essential to effective Enviroschools Holistic Refection.

Ākonga/ students are able to align actions and practices to the Guiding Principles.

Everyone is encouraged to reflect on learning and action that has taken place over time, celebrate strengths, be honest about weaker areas and explore next steps.

There are many ways of sharing the journey and gathering stories that has enriched this growth.

Netherton Green-Gold evidence and next steps were linked to their place and their people.

Ecolution members planting trees at the local regional park, one of the many ways to contribute to Sustainable Communities and celebrate.

Sprouting new ideas in the greenhouse as part of considering next steps at Kristin School reflection process.

Katie Higgins, National ECE Enviroschools Coordinator, guides conversations at Ruawai Kindergarten.

Some Enviroschools choose to celebrate their achievements by displaying a sign.

Supporting Resources

Enviroschools is a process of learning and creating change for students, teachers and the whole school community.

Early Childhood centres and schools have access to a trained facilitator and a suite of comprehensive resources to help guide the Enviroschools journey.

The resources weave guiding principles, key concepts, experiential activities, stories and rich artwork to support schools and centres to develop their own creative action-based learning journey.  A network of over 120 facilitators are guiding and supporting the empowerment of staff and young people.  These facilitators are part of the learning community, sharing ideas and providing peer support and collaboration opportunities using their regional networks. 

Printed resources include:

– Enviroschools Kit
– Enviroschools Handbook
– Enviroschools in the Early Years Guide
– Enviroschools Theme Areas Folder
– Enviroschools Wai Restoration booklet
– Enviroschools Sustainable Communities through Kai booklet
– He Pae Korero – Māori Stories
– Te Kūmara Book, DVD, CD and Tāpapa (photo book).

These resources are designed for use by early childhood centres and schools that are part of the Enviroschools network.  Participating Enviroschools have access to these resources via their Regional Coordinator.

If you would like to join the programme and have access to these resources please get in touch with your local Regional Coordinator.