Kia ora koutou

We have had a busy few months hosting some of you at the Regional ECE teacher hui and the Regional Road Trip in Whanganui - we know these are such valuable days for you to connect and feel inspired.

We continue to look at new opportunities for teacher workshops and increasing our environmental education kits that we have on offer for you to borrow.

If you are looking for support to help connect your students to explore their local environment please contact us to find out how we can help.

Mā te wā

Sarah & Christina

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Juniors exploring their awa

Year 2 students from Manunui School have been exploring what lives in their local awa. They invited one of our environmental educators along to help them explore two streams, the Whanganui River and the Pungapunga Stream which is a tributary to the big river. At each site the students conducted a number of science tests.

Firstly, we completed a habitat survey looking at whether there were lots of big trees overhanging to the stream, and whether they looked native or exotic. We also used our imagination to help unpack some of the science concepts of stream monitoring. A stream bed which has good habitat for fish and macroinvertebrates is like a hotel which has lots of floors, and rooms. It is made up of rocks and cobbles of different sizes. We looked at the stream bed to decide between us whether it was made up of mostly big cobbles, or whether it was mostly sandy/silt, which means there is no room for our animals to live. We also looked at whether the water was fast flowing or slow moving, or a bit of both.

Next we measured the clarity of the water using a clarity tube. The students imagined themselves swimming under water with googles on. How far they can see in front of themselves as they swim is what a clarity test tries to determine. Lastly, we fished for some macroinvertebrates. The students had been learning all about Mayflies (and drawing some amazing pictures of them) which are the gold ticket animal which indicates good water quality as mayflies are sensitive to pollution.

We then compared what we found at each stream to see what was the same, and what was different. We also made some little graphs to show what we found. Our main results showed that the clarity of the water at both sites was similar, and we found mayflies at both sites. But we found lots more mayflies in the smaller stream because it had a much better rocky stream bed which is better habitat for them to live in.

Ka pai Manunui School, what a great time we had! 💚

First enviro-action day for Hiwinui students

Students at Hiwinui School took part in their first enviro-action day last term.

The aim for the day was about connecting tamariki to their natural environment.

Horizons environmental educator joined Enviroschools facilitators and teachers for the day to deliver a range of activities to engage students in exploring their school. The day's activities included a bird survey, deeper learning on recycling, scavenger hunts and amazing leaf art. A favourite activity for the day was smelly cups where tamariki rummaged around in the garden for herbs and flowers and created delicious fragrances that they shared with each other. 🌿 

Students have gained a greater understanding of what’s in their backyard and can now start to think about actions they can take that will have a positive impact on the environment.

This is likely to be the first of many enviro themed days for the school.

ENVIROSCHOOLS

Congratulations to......

Westmere School and Marton Junction Community Preschool who both celebrated at Bronze last term.

Tino pai 💚

ECE hui focus on sustainable kai

This term we held our Regional ECE Hui - the theme was Sustainable Communities through Kai.  

The day began with a pōwhiri at Mount Biggs school followed by presentations from Aroha Beckham (Para Kore) and Morri (Manawatū Food Action Network).

We then moved the afternoon activities to Mount Lees Reserve where teachers participated in six rotations including growing microgreens, building a compost bin, looking at options with Sarah from Edible Gardens, tomoto seed saving tips and tricks and an introduction to Maramataka.

There was a seed swapping table where teachers had been asked to bring in some seeds from home to swap. Everyone left with a range of resources, seeds, recipe and gardening books from the second hand book find, native tree seed cubes, and a gardening set for the centres and new ideas and inspiration for sustainable kai projects.

Regional Road Trip a huge success

This term we were joined by 53 teachers from 33 Enviroschools from all around the region for our Regional Road Trip in Whanganui. 🚌

The theme for the day was reflection and celebration. 

Our first stop was Whanganui Intermediate School where we heard about their two programmes Forest Schools and Te Ao HuriHuri (an integrated curriculum programme). We took a tour of the school to see what other projects they were working on. Next stop was Brunswick School. Staff and students then shared their experience of their journey to sustainability and how it's now embedded into their school charter. We had a tour of the school highlighting projects such as their new fire pit, vegetable gardens, bike track, playground and koha pantry.

The afternoon ended with a visit to Bushy Park to see and hear from the educators about opportunities for schools to visit the park, and immerse into nature.

Teachers left inspired and feeling passionate about taking the next steps for their own schools.✨

IDEAS & RESOURCES

Fungi kits now available for loan 

Winter is the perfect time for fungi hunting and we are pleased to announce we now have fungi kits available to borrow 🍄

These kits allow students and teachers to connect more with their natural world in an easily accessible and achievable way.

Don't forget we also have kits for our waterways, invertebrates, pest trapping and native birds available to borrow.

If you would like to borrow one of these kits please email us for more information.

He Timatanga Hou Hui - New Beginnings Hui

On Tuesday 22nd of August 2023, the Palmerston North Girls' High School Envirogroup and Sustainability committee will host He Timatanga Hou Hui - New Beginnings Hui at PNGHS.

This youth-led conference for secondary students will be held from 8:45am to 3pm and will allow tauira to explore sustainability with an emphasis on taking action in their schools and communities.

This event is open to ākonga in the Manawatū-Whanganui region with a few places also reserved for secondary students from outside this rohe. The event is sponsored by Enviroschools and Horizons Regional Council.

If students are keen to attend, then they should email Dr Heather Meikle, Secondary Enviroschools Facilitator.

Registrations close on the 10th of August and places are limited to 3 students per school. Note this is only open to secondary students.

Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery - Big Picture Programme

This is a three-part engaging educational journey aimed at supporting teachers and empowering young students.

It is targeted at primary and intermediate schools and provides a unique opportunity to delve into the wonders of Aotearoa New Zealand’s native birds, cultivate environmental stewardship, and ignite a passion for making a positive impact.

Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery fosters an understanding of conservation, inspiring the next generation of environmental champions. if you are interested email to book or find out more information.

Matariki is an abbreviation of ‘Ngā Mata o te Ariki Tāwhirimātea’ (‘The Eyes of the God Tāwhirimātea’) and refers to a large cluster of stars, also known as the Pleiades

The predawn rising of Matariki in the mid-winter sky marks the changing of the seasons and the beginning of the Māori New Year. Some iwi in our rohe recognise this time of year by the appearance of Puanga, also known as Rigel. There are also regions where the setting of Rehua, also known as Antares, is used to identify the change of seasons.

The Matariki celebration is based around three major principles:

✨ Remembrance – Honouring those we have lost since the last rising of Matariki

✨ Celebrating the present – Gathering together to give thanks for what we have

✨ Looking to the future – Looking forward to the promise of a New Year.

You can watch this five minute video that shares the story of Matariki and her children, the nine stars that signal the new year.