Growing kaitiaki, growing community

Our Enviroschools journey has strengthened connections between tamariki, whānau, kaiako and the wider community through meaningful action in our local environment.

From caring for gardens and bug hotels to restoring Stredwick Reserve and exploring local waterways through Ko Te Wai He Taonga, tamariki have discovered that their actions can make a real difference. They have developed a growing understanding of the relationship between people, place and the natural world, while building confidence to ask questions, make decisions and lead change.

Learning has been enriched through tikanga Māori, te reo Māori and pūrākau, strengthening children's sense of identity and deepening their understanding of kaitiakitanga. These experiences have fostered respect for the environment and a shared responsibility to care for it.

Whānau and community members have played an important role, sharing their knowledge and working alongside children to create lasting learning experiences. Together, we have shown that sustainability is not something we teach in isolation, it is lived through our everyday relationships and actions.

As a result, our tamariki are growing as confident, connected kaitiaki who know their voices matter and that even small actions can create positive change for people, place and planet!