Article provided by Whaea Helen, Kauri Class Teacher, Levin School
Inspiring Our Young Kaitiaki!
What an incredible, action-packed Green Week it was! Levin school was buzzing with eco-friendly energy as students across all year levels immersed themselves in caring for te taiao.
Throughout the week, learners were busy hands-on in nature — crafting wildflower seed bombs, bird feeders, and biodegradable seed planters, creating leaf and bark rub art, building mini jar composts, and designing working water wheels and filtration devices. They also had students designing and planting a pollinator garden equipped with bug hotels.
Students turning learning into action with lots of hands-on activities
Indoors, creativity flourished as students transformed reused materials into artwork and obstacle courses, swapped gently loved books, and packed plastic-free lunchboxes. Together, they conducted a school-wide waste audit, tracked their human-powered travel to school, and added their commitments to an Oak Pledge Tree, promising to act as dedicated kaitiaki (guardians) of our earth.
Lots of great indoor activities during Green Week
The senior classes were also privileged to hear from two incredible guest speakers! Dr Grant Blackwell from the Climate Commission shared fascinating stories from his time as an ecologist studying bandicoots and discussed his current work protecting our environment. Additionally, Suz gave an update on the kākāpō hatching season on Whenua Hou/ Codfish Island, sharing how the kākāpō she helped raise are thriving.
Guest speakers inspiring senior students during Green Week
Beyond the classroom, students made a real impact in the community:
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Contributing to the planting project at Donnelly Park
Donnelly Park Action: Nine senior students headed out to the farm track clearing to plant native trees and mulch existing plantings originally established by our junior syndicate in Term 2.
- Green Week Challenge Champions! On Wednesday, a team of four Eco Legends (the Enviroschools group) accompanied Mrs Taylor to Horowhenua College for the regional in-person challenge. Tasked with designing and presenting a climate -resistant coastal invention
The Envirogroup taking out the win for their climate-resistant coastal invention
to protect the island of Tuvalu from rising sea levels, flooding, and powerful waves, the team worked brilliantly together and brought home first place!
Big mhi to all the staff and whānau who supported these fantastic sustainability initiatives!