Tamanuiterā - qualities of radiance, light and energy
Comrie Park Kindergarten, the only Green-Gold Enviroschools Kindergarten in Northland, opened it’s doors to early childhood teachers from as far north as Ahipara to host an Enviroschools information workshop.
Enthusiastic Lead teacher, Anna Alexander, hoped that the workshop at their kindergarten would inspire other teachers to think and act sustainably and provide ideas for practical application back at their own centres and wider communities.
Comrie Park Kindergarten, 15 minutes from Whangārei, has a long-time passion for environmental sustainability and has recently been recognised through the Northland Regional Council Environmental Awards, taking out both the supreme award and the environmental action in education award: celebrating kaitiakitanga and highlighting the ‘can-do’ attitudes to help the environment thrive.
The teaching team at Comrie Park, supported by Northland Kindergarten Association and Northland Regional Council shared the centre’s Enviroschools journey and explained to teachers how Comrie Park has practically applied the Enviroschools kaupapa.
Some of the ECE guests at the workshop
Participants heard about the benefits of being an Enviroschool and how the five Enviroschools Guiding Principles could be woven into centre life. Visiting teachers got to explore the Comrie Park environment, ask questions, read various documentation that supports the programme in an early childhood setting and engage in experiential activities.
Susan Karels, Regional Coordinator of the Enviroschools Programme in Northland explained to everyone how to become an Enviroschool and encouraged registration of interest for those who felt they were ready to commit. The afternoon workshop was inspirational with many centres wanting to join council’s growing Enviroschools whānau.
Comrie Park teaching team with their awards from NRC
You can learn more about how the Enviroschools Programme is implemented in this Early Childhood Centre by watching the video here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXQjJ1U9R2g&feature=youtu.be
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