ECE Archives - Enviroschools Marlborough

March 31, 2026

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 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 11, 2026

Enviroschools stories General

KEGs at Seymour Kindergarten

Moisture testing Every Thursday morning Joy-Marie visits Seymour Kindergarten to facilitate the KEGs (Kids Edible Garden) programme. Joy facilitates a planned programme based around the garden as well as supports tamariki interests. Over the last few weeks she has been discussing 'water as energy for plants'. How water is essential for plants to grow and move nutrients throughout the plant. Each week tamariki have been testing the soil to see if it is too dry or too wet. They have discussions about what the soil feels like and if the plants need water. Last week tamariki made 'Nettle tea' by soaking stinging nettle in water for the week. When Joy-Marie brought it out tamariki...

by Enviroschools Marlborough

February 17, 2026

Enviroschools stories General

MKA Energy Workshop

Teachers from the Marlborough Kindergarten Association immersed themselves into the topic of "energy" at their teacher only day at the beginning of the year. Ramona and Annie from the MDC Environmental Education team were invited to the MKA teacher only day in January. This was an opportunity to share their new Energy kit available for teachers to borrow and use with students. This kit explores the key concepts of energy - its different forms and how we use it, that it is everywhere and that it is continuously changing. Mostly based on Enviroschools activities the kit involves all the resources needs to get hands on and explore energy in its many different forms. The workshop gave teachers an...

by Enviroschools Marlborough

February 5, 2026

Enviroschools stories General

Tadpoles delight tamariki

From a bucket of water, 19 little tadpoles have delighted tamariki across Blenheim. Tadpoles when they first arrived...

by Enviroschools Marlborough

December 16, 2025

Enviroschools stories General

Waitohi Kindergarten Pause to Reflect

Last week Waitohi Kindergarten pulled in their hoe (paddles), slowing their Enviroschools waka to create time and space to reflect on their journey. The analogy of the waka and/ or awa is used within Enviroschools to think of the journey that is embarked upon when engaging with the programme. The journey of your school or Kindergarten may start as a slow trickle or a waka with only one or two people paddling but as the journey continues it brings on more “paddlers” and more creeks feed into the main awa which creates more momentum. At times it is important to stop paddling, or pull into the calm waters so that you can take a break,...

by Enviroschools Marlborough

December 9, 2025

Enviroschools stories General

Nurturing and Nature

Springlands Kindergarten have added another opportunity for their tamariki to spend time in nature. The opportunity shows the Enviroschools Guiding Principle of Empowered Learners. L for Lela Teachers take the same group of six to eight students each week for a term to the same local park they can walk to - McKendry Park. Their route each week is chosen by the children, sometimes through the school next door to clamber over small mounds and wave to older brothers and sisters. Sometimes along the footpath where they can chat with locals walking by. Looking for tuna (eels) This opportunity is for nurturing both the children and the environment....

by Enviroschools Marlborough

November 25, 2025

Enviroschools stories General

Outdoor Classroom Day

"Outdoor Classroom Day is a global movement to make time outdoors part of every child’s day". This year Redwoodtown Kindergarten and Seymour Kindergarten took part in Outdoor Classroom Day. Both Kindergartens took a different approach to their involvement but with the same intention of engaging with the outdoor environment. Redwoodtown Kindergarten "The Tamariki of Redwoodtown Kindergarten thoroughly enjoyed participating in International Outdoor Classroom Day, engaging in a range of learning experiences that celebrated exploration and discovery in nature. They demonstrated curiosity, teamwork and creativity as they investigated their environment, worked together to solve problems and expressed ideas through play.

: Bath time in the sun

: Reading cubbies

The outdoor setting provided valuable opportunities for developing physical skills, confidence, and a deeper appreciation...

by Enviroschools Marlborough

November 21, 2025

Enviroschools stories General

Wildflower Seed Bombs for Bee Aware Month

Young tamariki across Marlborough were buzzing as they learnt all about bees and pollination. For the month of September, Ramona visited ECE services to celebrate Bee Aware Month. She took with her a kit of resources that included a bee pollination activity and equipment to make wildflower seed bombs. Ramona talking with the tamariki at Awatere Early Learning Centre Each session started with a quick discussion about pollen and nectar and some interesting facts; Bees use their antennae to smell. They can detect nectar 2 km away. Worker bees produce about 1/12th of a teaspoon of honey in their lifetime. On one flight from the hive to collect honey, a honey...

by Enviroschools Marlborough

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