Glendowie Kindergarten is part of the Auckland Kindergarten Association and they are committed to endorsing the five guiding principles that make up the Enviroschool kaupapa. Over the last five years, the teaching team, tamariki and whanau have established a compost area, two worm farms, an orchard and two rain water tanks to water their organic gardens.

Reciprocal relationships with the local communities have been expanded through regular visits to St Andrews Retirement Village, local schools and walks to the park. Tamariki and kaiako continuously revisit the concept of ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ to enable tamariki to share this information with their whanau and wider community.

This was a joyous celebration attended by Mayor Len Brown from Auckland City Council, who presented our kindergarten with a large permanant sign that will be placed on the fence to commemorate this achievement. The children entertained the guests with a dramatic performance of  ‘Rata and the Totara Tree’ and a selection of waiata, before a shared morning tea.

Thank you to Debbie Upham (AKA Enviroschools Facilitator), Natalie Mackenzie (AKA Head Office), Katie, Sandy and Hillary (from the Toimata Foundation) and to Steve MacKay. Finally thank you to the teaching team for their passionate commitment to the enviroschool kaupapa.