Creating Change

The holistic, long-term Enviroschools journey creates fertile ground for a range of learning and action.

When tamariki/ students connect with their place and its people, and then plan, design and take action, they are creating change.

Through this empowering experience, they will become life-long change-makers.  The collective exploration is based in the concept of ako, where all participants are simultaneously learners and teachers, and everybody learns from each other.  It is a process of co-creation between people and all of the elements and energies around us. Caring for our place and the whole planet becomes a living curriculum where skills and competencies are gained through experience and mahi within meaningful community settings.

In the following stories you can see how Enviroschools participants are learning with their heads, hands and hearts – connecting with nature, exploring indigenous wisdoms, forming relationships with tangata whenua, collaborating with people in their diverse communities, and finding out about their own qualities and passions.  Learning and action in Enviroschools does not just have environmental outcomes but social, cultural and economic benefits too.

Redwoodtown Kindergarten takes action

A new teaching team at Redwoodtown Kindergarten provided impetus for reconnecting with the Enviroschools kaupapa, considering what was going well and what the opportunities for action were. This thinking and planning has sparked ideas and action! Find out more.....

Read more >

Ruapehu Schools Planting for Outdoor Classrooms

Two schools in the Manawatū Whanganui Region have visions of outdoor learning areas within the school grounds. One day, learning will flow easily from the classroom to outside with lots of opportunities to connect with and learn about the local ecology. The school communities have...

Read more >

Knowing our stories – Mairtown Kindergarten

Kaiako Anne, from Mairtown Kindergarten has been on a journey of exploration and building connection with local hapū as part of a teaching scholarship. Anne has generously shared some of this and the subsequent, resulting visit to Mairtown Kindergarten from representatives of Patuharakeke Iwi bringing...

Read more >

Whole School Approach at Maheno

Maheno School has grown from strength to strength as they have developed their Enviroschools programme from a small group to a whole school approach. The staff, Board of Trustees, Home and School committee, community and whanau have all helped to ensure the success of this...

Read more >

Buzz at Bunnythorpe

There was a buzz of conversation as a result of a bee enquiry learning last year. Local beekeepers helped build knowledge and skills so that students were able to make informed and well supported decisions about keeping bees at Bunneythorpe School. Each family got to...

Read more >
VIEW ALL STORIES ›
View all

Collaboration, networking and sharing all provide knowledge and inspiration about Enviroschools in New Zealand.
Share your learning and actions at #enviroschools »