At KiNZ Mission Heights, we are aspiring towards our journey of becoming a Green Gold Enviroschool. Connecting with nature, caring for Papatūānuku/mother earth, reducing rubbish and learning about biodiversity is part of the daily curriculum.
Below are some examples of activities children have engaged with:
Planning, designing and exploring biodiversity
Below are photos of children involved in a natural space. Creating a fairy garden, a natural teepee, bug house, and living spaces for local birds and bugs, as we interact with nature in a respectful manner. This is an ongoing project. We have added new planter boxers for growing some seasonal vegetables too.
New Zealand Bird Survey
This investigation led the children to create and safeguard the nesting ground of the native Plover. We estimated their gestation period, talked about how they keep their eggs warm, what they feed on and looked forward to the chicks hatching. Children helped their teachers to communicate to people using the school grounds about looking out for the nest.
Saving the Plover’s Nest
A child showing his mum the signage put out to safeguard the plover nest.
Watching our teacher Rahimah put signage out once the birds had gone hunting for food. After so many days of observation we watched four baby chicks chirping around.
Waste Reduction
Children taking part in a rubbish audit as part of quantifying the impact of our actions on the reduction of rubbish.
Clearly labelled bins for education during community events such as our Matariki family dinner.
Children learnt how to make paperbags without the use of cellotape with kaiako Rahimah. Then they pack extra produce for whānau.
Children packing persimmon and choko from our centre’s garden for sharing and role modelling rubbish reduction.