The Tuamarina Awa is a tributary of the Wairau Awa and flows through the largest remaining wetland in the Wairau catchment, the Para Wetland. Unfortunately, the water quality of the Tuamarina awa is rated as marginal, unacceptable water quality that needs to be improved.
The awa passes Tua Marina school on the opposite side of SH1. It’s not an easy place to get to but the senior students wanted to learn more about it. Particularly its health and what they could do to care for it now and in the future. With a whole school inquiry into science, they leapt at the chance to investigate the awa with a scientific lens. They studied the cycle...
Read More Tānemahuta, Rongomatāne and Tangaroa greet you at the entrance to Mayfield Kindergarten. These Pou represent the Kindergarten’s connection to their environment. The characteristics of these Atua underpin the learning priorities for the tamariki that attend. Kaiako and tamariki tiaki (care for) these atua and their wide spread environment, made up of the native gardens, mara kai, a rocky awa and open spaces.
Mara kai has been the focus over the last 6 months for kaiako, tamariki and Joy, their gardener. Joy spends 3 hours a week at Mayfield Kindergarten. During this time she empowers the tamariki to be hands on and involved in the garden. Together they sow seeds, plant seedlings, pull out weeds,...
Read More On a cool Spring day on the Taylor River the 21st poem was unveiled.
Written by Mia Lasenby from Wairau Valley School, this new poem forms part of the Writers Walk. Springlands School students who were passionate about the environment start the project in 2009. The students had been learning all about the Taylor River including its water quality and came up with an idea that would make a difference then and in the future.
With support from Marlborough District Council, who provided the large rocks. Sowmans Funeral Home who set the poems on plaques. Cathee Wilks and Ali Kay, teachers and project champions. 14 years on, the project is still going strong. They have...
Read More The children in Waihi class at Grovetown School have been investigating the health of the creek that runs alongside their school.
After the Grovetown School students first visit to observe the creek they felt pretty confident that it wasn’t in a very good state. But the children wanted some facts to back up what they saw. The children named the weed on top of the creek Frog Porridge.
Using the Enviroschools Stream Study Kit they measured the flow, temperature, and clarity of the water, before identifying the creatures that live in the creek. Unfortunately the only creatures they found were small snails. All their tests of the creek failed to meet healthy...
Read More Envirogroup meeting - Kanohi ki te kanohi Koru Native Wildlife Centre, Grovetown Thursday 26 October 1.20 to 2.30 pm Our Zoom meetings have been great but we have been missing seeing you in person! End the year on a high, visiting the Koru Native Wildlife Centre with us. We’ll have some fun Enviroschools activities and you’ll get the rare chance to see brightly coloured Yellow Crowned Kākāriki, fascinating Giant Weta and Marlborough Green Geckos up close. The Grovetown Lagoon is close by. If you are able to take more time out of school, take the opportunity to walk the 50 min loop track of this beautiful wetland or stop at the picnic area for lunch before heading to...
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 Did you know that spending time in nature can support multiple developmental domains including intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual and physical? There has been a growing interest and awareness of nature connection benefits amongst kaiako/ teachers. In support of this Enviroschools and REAP Marlborough hosted Celia Hogan from Little Kiwis Nature Play to come and share her knowledge and expertise with kaiako this term. Across two workshops, Celia unpacked the benefits of nature connection. How tamariki/ children play and what they require to do so. As well as ideas on how to enhance the outdoor environment. She facilitated discussions around the barriers and opportunities that nature connection offer from a diverse and cultural perspective. This covered opportunities such...
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 Outdoor Classroom Day is a global movement to make time outdoors part of every child’s day. On two days of action each year, teachers take children outdoors to play and learn. All year round, the Outdoor Classroom Day community campaigns for more time outdoors every day....
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