Keep New Zealand Beautiful is a nationwide not-for-profit organisation that encourages communities to engage in activities promoting environmental stewardship. It focuses on reducing waste, recycling, planting trees, and beautifying local areas. The initiative helps foster a sense of pride in New Zealand’s natural environment and encourages everyone, especially young tamariki, to participate in actions that create a more sustainable future. Through hands-on projects, children can learn the importance of environmental care, laying the foundation for them to become kaitiaki (guardians) of the land.
During Keep New Zealand Beautiful Clean Up week, the tamariki at Montessori explored ways to care for Papatūānuku by making their very own beeswax wraps. The tamariki were fascinated as the...
Read More Matariki - a time of reflection, coming together, celebration and looking to the future.
Earlier this month Montessori celebrated Matariki with their whānau and community. It was also a time to acknowledge 30 years of Montessori operating in Blenheim and the unveiling of their Enviroschools sign. A very special event that was marked with whānau and friends coming together, sharing kai and a heartfelt performance from the tamariki. Ramona Millen from the MDC Environmental Education team was invited to their event to present the community with their sign. She also shared some information about the Enviroschools kaupapa.
The Enviroschools kaupapa is about creating a healthy, peaceful, sustainable world through learning and taking action together.
Montessori signed up...
Read More Walking into Awatere Early Learning Centre on the 27th June there was the hum of people, adults and children. In the kitchen a group of mums were organising crock pots of soup and buttering bread. Whilst also arranging other kai that had been brought in by whānau. Meanwhile a group of dads walked through carrying the BBQ ready to start cooking outside. Children were playing and laughing, and younger siblings were desperately trying to keep up. The feel of whānau and community resonated within the room - they have gathered to celebrate Matariki and unveil their new Enviroschools sign.
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- Fairy lights lit up the outdoor area
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- Whānau helping out in the kitchen
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- Ramona Millen unveiling their Enviroschools sign
Awatere Early Learning Centre have been involved in an Enviroschools pilot programme since...
Read More With a new team of teachers at Redwoodtown Kindergarten and a passion to do more for Te Taiao they invited Ramona in to re engage the Kindergarten with the Enviroschools Kaupapa.
They started with getting familiar with the Enviroschools Guiding Principles. They then identified all that they were already doing as well as some areas that they would like to strengthen. This then led them to looking at their environment and brainstorming how they would like the place to look, feel and sound. The combination of this information supported the team to develop and identify areas to take action.
Some of the key areas were Strengthening community relationships
Growing their cultural awareness
Growing/providing kai for...
Read More As the clouds parted and the sun broke through Marlborough ECE teachers descended upon Koru Native Wildlife Centre. The first event offered to Marlborough ECE teachers as part of the new Environmental Education support pilot for Early Childhood Centres was underway. In line with the regional focus of PLACE and CONNECTION this was an opportunity for teachers to meet Ellen. and see what resources she can support kaiako and tamariki with when learning about some of New Zealands native species. Koru Native Wildlife Centre is situated in Grovetown. It invites you to get up close and learn about brightly coloured Yellow Crowned Kākāriki, fascinating Giant Wētā and Marlborough Green Geckos.
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- Gecko
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- Kākāriki
The centre is set...
Read More A key aspect to the Enviroschools journey is reflection. “Reflection is an integral part of the learning cycle, helping us to make sense of our experiences, deepen our learning, and gain direction for the journey ahead”.
Renwick Kindergarten have been a Green Gold Enviroschols since 2019. Earlier this year they decided to reflect on their journey. They had completed all their “next steps” from their Green Gold reflection and felt it was time to identify some new ones. Renwick Kindergarten tamariki, John Leggett and Anne Best test out the new water access at Rousehill Reserve As their team reflected on the last four years it quickly became apparent the Enviroschools kauapapa is no...
Read More Montessori Blenheim ignites intellectual interest and allows children to perpetuate curiosity and propel forward to further explore all the natural wonders of our world. Through the prepared environment, kaiārahi offer authentic opportunities for children to connect to their environment. To foster a love and appreciation of their surroundings and support a deeper understanding of the 'big ideas' that underpin all life on earth.
Acknowledging children's enthusiasm to discover rich and diverse cultural concepts is important as it enables their endeavours, regardless of the limit of kaiārahi understanding and knowledge. Respect for the Diversity of People and Cultures acknowledges the unique gifts, contributions and perspectives of individuals and groups, reinforcing the value...
Read More A full-day workshop exploring how children play outdoors and in nature, what environments support a variety of learning needs, and how we can teach in an outdoor environment with respect for various cultures and diversity of learners through meeting the child where they are. Limited spaces A contribution towards teacher release time may be available - contact Annie.McDonald@marlborough.govt.nz RSVP selena@reapmarlborough.co.nz Celia Hogan, Founder of Little Kiwis Nature Play is a Nature Education Specialist, Consultant, Speaker and Parenting Coach. She is passionate about child development and nature connection and is a strong advocate for nature play, risky play and improving mental health and well-being through nature. For the past 24 years she has worked for a variety of...
Read More Our term two Sustainable Action Ideas newsletter explores the Enviroschools Guiding Principle of Respect for the Diversity of People and Cultures.
It highlights some up coming awareness dates that support this guiding principle as well as shares ideas to celebrate other cultures in your school or centre. There are also a number of workshops happening this term. Click here to access our online Padlets to view this newsletter and previous ones....
Read More This zoom will share and explore the range of resources new to the Ministry of Education TKI site that have recently been contributed by Toimata Foundation Enviroschools national team. The resource aims to support the ECE sector In taking action in a climate changing world. It include book lists, readings and downloadable activities for ECE kaiako to engage with alongside their communities. Register in advance for this zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwscuGhpz0sG9CtnCUXcBFCgSyerqnmgh6K
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. *This zoom will be recorded and put on the Enviroschools website...
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