Blog - Enviroschools Marlborough

June 24, 2026

Outdoor Classroom Day

Outdoor Classroom Day is celebrated internationally twice a year on the 21st May and the 5th November. It is a global movement to set aside dedicated time to get children outdoors. Below we hear from Springlands Kindergarten and Little Acorns Acamdemy about their time spent outdoors. Springlands Kindergarten We spent the morning at McKendry Park. We invited Springlands school to join us, so Cathee and Courtney brought a small group over. Tamariki could do their usual exploring, tree climbing etc, however we also took two mats to set up water paints, pens/pencils on. We used also had paper with double sided tape that they could collect things on. These were then later put all together...

by Enviroschools Marlborough

June 22, 2026

Enviroschools stories General

Connecting with Ngahere Through Matariki at Rapaura School

In the lead up to Matariki, Angela and Ramona visited each class at Rapaura School to explore their ngahere through the whetū Tupuārangi. Identifying the importance of the ngahere Tupuārangi is the star associated with trees, birds, fruits, and all that grows above ground within the domain of Tāne Mahuta. Together, they reflected on why healthy ngahere are important not only for nature, but also for people. They discovered the many benefits forests provide for our community and wildlife. A highlight of the sessions was heading into the school ngahere to get to know the trees that grow there. Tamariki interviewed a leaf, taking a close look at its shape, size, texture,...

by Enviroschools Marlborough

June 22, 2026

Enviroschools stories General

Planting for Future Generations at Thomsons Ford Road

On a beautiful sunny July day, students from Wairau Valley, Springlands, and Rapaura Schools joined the team from Trees for Marlborough for a native tree planting event at Thomsons Ford Road. Organised by Junior Landcare, Wairau Nature Network, and Enviroschools to celebrate Arbor Day. The day was an opportunity for students to make a meaningful contribution to the future of Marlborough's unique environment. Trees ready for planting The planting site is more than just a restoration project. It is also a demonstration site for low-flammability green breaks. With Marlborough's hot, dry summers and strong winds increasing the risk of wildfires, projects like this help landowners and restoration groups make informed decisions...

by Enviroschools Marlborough

The final product - a finished pest tracking tunnel

June 22, 2026

Enviroschools stories General

Becoming Pest Detectives at St Mary’s School

How have New Zealand birds adapted to their environment, and how can we help protect them for the future? Taxidermy wild life kindly lent to us by Picton Dawn Chorus That was the big inquiry question Year 7 and 8 students at St Mary's School explored with Angela with a focus on native birds and introduced predators and pests. Using real-life examples, hands-on activities, and a little detective work, tamariki discovered why many of our native manu need our help. One of the highlights of the session was meeting a collection of taxidermy animals. Students had the rare opportunity to meet introduced predators including a rat, stoat, ferret, weasel, and a cat....

by Enviroschools Marlborough

June 22, 2026

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Ngā Taonga Tākaro with Harko Brown

On a chilly winters evening Springlands School hall was a hub of energy. With almost 40 teachers from ECE through to secondary school attending a nga taonga tākaro workshop with Harko Brown. Harko Brown is known for his expertise in traditional Māori games. Intro from Ramona This workshop was apart of our Environmental Educations team focus for 2026 on Programmes. It had teachers up and moving about, shaking off the winter chill. However, the workshop was more than just physical activity. It was woven together with pūrākau, te reo Māori, tikanga, and connection to the environment. To get everyone energised and socialised, the workshop started with a round of matamatarongo. This game...

by Enviroschools Marlborough

April 22, 2026

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Maths in Nature

A group of Springlands School students made the most of the sunny autumn days by taking their learning to McKendry Park and using nature as their classroom for maths. They counted chestnuts, created repeating patterns, counted trees, measured the distance between them, and used tally marks and skip counting in 5s to count sticks. Learning was hands-on, meaningful, and lots of fun!

It was made even more special when some residents from the nearby rest home, out for their morning walk, stopped to join in with the learning and conversations. A wonderful example of learning, community, and connection in action.

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by Enviroschools Marlborough

March 31, 2026

Enviroschools stories General

Nature Exploration on the Taylor River

Connecting with nature helps to make us smarter, healthier and happier, this is the purpose for Blenheim’s new nature exploration space. Located on the Taylor River beneath a stand of large trees is Blenheim’s new Nature Exploration Space. The ideal spot with the surrounding environment offering an extension to the dedicated space for running, climbing and exploring. The project started last year with the Council's Environmental Education team and support from Parks and Open Spaces officer Kiri Whiteman. It began with a consultation process with young tamariki in Blenheim. They were asked what they would like to see, do, feel, hear in the new space. Tamariki were encouraged to discuss, draw and even create a...

by Enviroschools Marlborough

March 31, 2026

Enviroschools stories General

Providers Catch Up

It was great to meet up with some of the other providers that work in the environmental education space in Marlborough. This was the first of what we all hope will be many catch ups to come. It was an opportunity to share what we do in our work programmes. From Landcare to Te Hoiere, Climate Karanga Marlborough and The Falcon Trust, Envirohub and Forest and Bird, to name just a few who showed interest in the first catch up. The initial catch up, hosted by the environmental educators with Marlborough District Council was held at Te Kahu o Waipuna. Here we were able to chat about what we are all currently working...

by Enviroschools Marlborough

March 24, 2026

Enviroschools stories General

Energy at Springlands Kindergarten

Where does energy come from? What types of energy are there? How is it used for? What Atua are associated with energy? These are just some of the energy concepts that the tamariki at Springlands Kindergarten have been learning about. At the beginning of Term 1 the kaiako at Springlands Kindergarten volunteered to be the first to try out the new Energy kit that our Environmental Education team put together. The kits contains activities from the Enviroschools theme area Energy plus a few extras. Alongside the activities are resources that are needed to facilitate the activities. After exploring with the kit and their own ideas and experimentations for majority of the term, the tamariki have...

by Enviroschools Marlborough

March 13, 2026

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Sea Week at Whatamango Bay – QCC Rangatahi in Action

A group of 20 Year 7 and 8 rangatahi led by Di Huntly from Queen Charlotte College celebrated Sea Week the best way possible by getting wet, muddy, and hands-on with tuangi/cockle monitoring at Whatamango Bay. The beautiful rimurimu meadow of Whatamango Bay The day was a special collaboration with Glenis Paul from the NZ Marine Studies Centre, Kiara Duke-Love from Te Ātiawa, and the college, bringing together science, mātauranga Māori, and local knowledge in one learning experience. The morning began with Matua Neville Tahuaroa-Watson, who opened the day with a karakia and the laying of a treasured pou. This set the intentions for the mahi ahead and asked for the protection...

by Enviroschools Marlborough

March 13, 2026

Enviroschools stories General

Sea Week at Waikawa Bay – Nature of Science in Action

For tamariki at Waikawa Bay School, the moana isn’t something far away; they can see it from their school grounds. It’s part of their everyday landscape, featuring in their murals, artwork, and local stories. So when Glenis Paul from the NZ Marine Studies Centre (Whakatū/Nelson) found time in her busy schedule to support learning during Sea Week, the school jumped at the opportunity. I was also keen to learn a thing or two and joined in for the morning! The focus was the Nature of Science, with students rotating through ten hands-on marine activities, each one deepening their understanding of the sandy bay close by.

: Glenis talking all things marine with tamariki

: Finding the most accurate way to measure the length paua shells

: Checking the temperature of several water samples

They explored the life cycle of crabs, learning how...

by Enviroschools Marlborough