outdoors Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Enviroschools Marlborough

December 4, 2024

Bioblitz – Grovetown Lagoon

Enviroschools and Junior Landcare joined up again in term 4 to give the opportunity for rangatahi to become scientists in a Bioblitz at Grovetown Lagoon. Biodiversity brings to mind thoughts of remote, wild places full of extraordinary animals and plants. While wild areas are rich in biodiversity, we can easily overlook the variety of species that surround us every day in easy to reach, local spaces - even on the school playing field. Did you know that New Zealand has 2000 species of spiders and you are likely to find one million spiders in one hectare of paddock land! Angela, Wendy (NZ Landcare), Rosanne and Justine (Wetland Warriors) welcomed rangatahi from Queen Charlotte College and...

by Enviroschools Marlborough

September 18, 2024

Enviroschools stories General

Kahikatea Reserve

Earlier in the year, Tua Marina and Springcreek Schools teamed up to replant a section of the Kahikatea Reserve. This amazing restoration project was started 20 years ago. The aim being to return the land to original ngahere and water ways. A group sitting quietly counting birds When planting the damaged section, we could hear numerous birds in the maturing ngahere beside us. Of course we also had piwakawaka ducking and diving around us as we disturbed the insects that piwakawaka love to eat. We came up with the idea of returning each year to do a bird count. Both in the 20-year-old section and the newly planted section. This would measure...

by Enviroschools Marlborough

September 13, 2024

Enviroschools stories General

Knowledge of Tānemahuta grows at Springlands School

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...

by Enviroschools Marlborough

September 12, 2024

Enviroschools stories General

Ward School Nature Connection

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...

by Enviroschools Marlborough

June 26, 2024

Enviroschools stories General

Montessori tamariki connect to nature

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...

by Enviroschools Marlborough

June 21, 2024

Enviroschools stories General

Wetland Warriors

Every Wednesday morning a volunteer team calling themselves the Wetland Warriors meet at Grovetown Lagoon to plant natives, weed, clear paths, raise plants and trap pests to protect the beautiful environment around the Lagoon. This term on partnership with Junior Landcare, Envirogroup’s have the opportunity to work alongside the Wetland Warriors (WW) volunteers while learning about the wetlands and why its restoration is so important. Unfortunately the first session was called off due to wet weather, and so in the first week of June Tua Marina and Waikawa Bay Schools became the first groups of students to join the WW team. Their job for the morning was to plant grasses and trees on the banks of...

by Enviroschools Marlborough

April 5, 2024

Enviroschools stories General

Tua Marina Stream Study

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...

by Enviroschools Marlborough

April 4, 2024

Enviroschools stories General

Koru Native Wildlife Centre

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.

: Gecko

: Kākāriki

The centre is set...

by Enviroschools Marlborough

April 3, 2024

Enviroschools stories General

Rongoā Workshop – Monkey Bay/Rarangi

Marlborough teachers from early childhood, primary and secondary schools gathered at Monkey Bay, Rarangi for our second Rongoā workshop this month. As they arrived they were greeted by the glassy rolling swell of Tangaroa, the warmth of Tamanuiterā and the cool, refreshing presence of Tānemahuta. After a busy day in the classroom this warm welcome was the medicine needed to nurture a busy mind. Hosted by the Marlborough District Council Environmental Education team as part of their PLACE focus this year, they invited Ripeka, Whaea Tricia and Koka Lovey from Manaaki Ngahere Trust to share their knowledge on Rongoā plant identification.

: Ripeka

: Koka Lovey and Whaea Tricia

This introductory workshop took kaiako on a guided walk into the...

by Enviroschools Marlborough

April 3, 2024

Enviroschools stories General

Nature Connection Workshop

How often do you take the time to slow down and experience the environment with all your senses? At the beginning of March Marlborough Early Childhood teachers left feeling inspired and excited to plan their next excursion after attending this term's Nature Connection workshop. Following on from the Nature Connection pilot programme last year where our Environmental Education team supported Spring Creek School and Springlands Kindergarten to set up their own Nature Connection programmes, they hosted an introductory workshop. Gathered at Sheps Park, Springlands Kindergarten teachers guided the group through the experience that they offer tamariki when they have their fortnightly visits there. Opening with a karakia, they then followed their process of a “safety check”...

by Enviroschools Marlborough

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