Tawhai School & Community Emergency Hub - Stokes Valley

At Tawhai the ‘Enviroschools Programme’ is about the well-being of the whole school, community and eco-system.  Enviroschools provide our students with lots of opportunities to explore real life challenges and to apply their abundance of energy and ideas. The Enviroschools kaupapa is based on five guiding principles which we integrate in to everyday teaching and learning:

1. Empowered Students are enabled to participate. Their unique perspectives are valued for the knowledge and insight that they bring, and they are supported to take action for real change.
2. Learning for Sustainability recognises the types of teaching and learning that foster student empowerment, decision-making, action and sustainable outcomes.
3. Māori Perspectives honours the status of tangata whenua in this land and the value of indigenous knowledge in enriching and guiding learning and action.
4. Respect for the Diversity of People and Cultures acknowledges the unique gifts, contributions and perspectives of individuals and groups.
5. Sustainable Communities act in ways that nurture people and nature, now and in the future, to maintain the health and viability of our environment, society, culture and economy.

Below are examples of some of the ‘Enviro-Actions and Initiatives’ Tawhai School students have been involved with so far:

• Waste audit and zero-waste initiaitves
• Whanau consultation
• Vegetable garden, composting and worm farms
• Planting of native gardens and fruit orchard
• Matariki garden planting and celebration
• Recycling and upcycling (i.e.) adventure playground
• Student leadership and strengthening ‘student voice’
• Connecting with Koraunui Marae and development of Te Reo and Tikanga Maori programmes
• Murals
• Participation in various programmes and community projects such as Sea week, Beach clean up, and Horoeka Reserve development.

To see regular updates on what we have been doing check out the enviroschools blog.   Check out our gallery full on photos.