If you haven’t been to Mckendry Park in Spring, it is something that you must do. Golden and white Daffodils dot the park, whilst spring blossom gently falls to the ground from the breeze of Tāwhirimātea, as if snow is falling. The students of Springlands school got to experience this magic as part of their learning about Tānemahuta.
This term Ramona and Angela from our Environmental Education Team worked alongside Springlands School to put together a plan to learn about Tānemahuta and his presence within their school and surrounding areas. Tānemahuta is the guardian of all the forests and all the birds and plants that live there.
The plan that was put...
Read More After an introduction to Nature Connection at a workshop held by Ramona and Angela earlier this year, the idea of utilising an unused and wild area at Ward School grew in Nicole Cochranes mind. It came to fruition at the beginning of this term when she led a group of excited children beyond the normal school boundary. This was the first of weekly visits to explore and connect with nature. Each visit begins with setting up their ‘base camp’. Then they walk the perimeter to look for hazards that may have cropped up since their last visit. During their walk children pick up treasures – leaves, flowers, sticks, anything that takes their interest – to...
Read More Nature Connection Workshop Thursday 5th September 2024 4.30 – 6 pm Harling Park Nature connection nurtures our physical, social, spiritual and emotional wellbeing. This session will share ideas for bringing nature connection into your programme utilising an inclusive approach that foster child led exploration. Email ramonamillen17@gmail.com to register by the 30th August 2024...
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 At Montessori Blenheim, children live and breathe the guiding principle, Kaitiakitanga - Guardianship.
Children see themselves as active global citizens who are responsible for their actions. They engage in sustainable practices and show aroha for Papatūānuku.
This means the children are finding ways to connect with the local community, step into their role as a kaitiaki and recognise themselves as part of the natural world. As they build their sense of belonging and connect with their natural environment, they are learning to show respect for Tāne Māhuta and the Mauri of his ngāhere.
"Just enough people to give it a cuddle" - Cameron Last month, a group of little Montessori explorers embarked on...
Read More On a clear crisp Marlborough Autumn morning Ramona and Angela invited a group of ECE and Primary teachers to join them outside for an introduction to Nature Connection.
The Marlborough District Council Environmental Education team had been invited to present at the Tai Tōrua workshop. The focus for this workshop was to "support teachers to move from traditional views and practices in Health & PE to more inclusive, culturally responsive and innovative initiatives within the curriculum and its delivery". Nature Connection was the perfect fit to this brief. With substantial research highlighting the benefits that nature has on our Hauora, Ramona and Angela were able to introduce a variety of activities and ideas under the...
Read More Nature Connection “Research shows that the closer we get to nature, the happier we are, the more worthwhile life seems, and the more we are willing to take action to help our wildlife and the environment”. - Nature Connection Handbook Several Schools and Kindergartens in Marlborough have been embedding Nature Connection experiences into their programmes. Come and share ideas and be inspired. Location: Sheps Park RSVP to ramonamillen17@gmail.com by Monday, 26th of February, please advise of any dietary requirements. ...
Read More 
