Our tamariki, teaching team, whānau and special guests felt a wonderful sense of pride as we recently came together to celebrate and reflect on how far we have come in our Enviroschools journey. It was really special to have past Kiwikidz that are now at Waihi Beach school return to join us with our celebration
“Kiwikidz kaupapa has always embraced natural environments and resources and upheld a respect for others, our environment and living creatures. Two years ago we aligned ourselves with the guiding principals of Enviroschools and our wonderful learning journey began. At Kiwikidz we have a clear shared vision of our goals and where we are going, these are in our strategic plan and teachers, whānau, tamariki and community are actively working together to make them happen.” - Debbie Kingsford-Tinling (Owner/Manager)
Our tamariki are involved in the daily routines of sorting our food scraps into what goes into our worm farm, into a pig bucket, or into the rubbish and have developed their knowledge of who eats what over time. Their worm castings and worm juice is used to enrich the soil in their vegie garden where tamariki are often found tasting herbs and seasonal vegetables from the garden. In their art areas they use a lot of recycled materials and natural resources collected from their beautiful local environment. We have also developed a water catchment system where our tamariki are learning about water conservation in our garden use and their play.
“In our planning we are thinking about the guiding principals and making meaningful links in our daily program, learning stories and documentation. Our tamariki regularly explore our local environment, developing a sense of turangawaewae (a place we stand) and kaitiakitanga (guardianship and protection) of this environment. At Kiwikidz tamariki are empowered and becoming confident to lead activities and actively participate in sustainable practices that nurture and support our environment.” - Debbie Kingsford-Tinling.
Tamariki have been involved in the March for Climate change and planting of native trees in Waihi. They are beginning to reflect, question and guide each other.
Our tamariki are familiar and confident in their knowledge of our Atua, make daily reference and acknowledge them through waiata, conversations, books and resources. They have participated in the Community Matariki Concert since its inception. “Our community and whānau are very supportive of our developments as an Enviroschool. We share our news and sustainable practices with them through news letters, website, Kiwikidz facebook posts, community notice board and to new whānau during our centre tours and enrolment processes. Whānau actively contribute ideas and resources, embracing our journey. Our sharing table where excess fruit and vegetables from our whānau are free to take is one example of this.” - Donna Mayor (lead teacher)
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