The Northland Regional Council – which played a key role in bringing the Enviroschools programme to the North in 2003 – says representatives from 15 of Northland’s 30 Enviroschools are taking part in the two hui this month.
The first hui – with a ‘living landscapes’ theme - was held on Thursday 19 July at Kaitaia’s Oturu School and attracted about 40 participants. A second hui – with a ‘healthy water’ theme - gets underway at Whangarei’s Hurupaki School on Thursday this week at 9.30am and is expected to involve about 50 people.
Susan Karels, an Environmental Education Officer for the Regional Council, says
the Enviroschools Programme integrates environmental education into the whole of school life.
“It creates learning opportunities by working towards a healthy, peaceful and sustainable environment and encourages student-driven action.”
Mrs Karels says the national programme originated through Hamilton City Council in 1993 and since its introduction in Northland several years ago has gone from strength-to-strength.
Mrs Karels says the Council and its Northland-based Enviroschools partner, Auckland University teacher facilitation group TEAM Solutions, now work with schools throughout the region, from Kaipara’s Otamatea High School in the south to Ahipara School in the Far North.
She says the popularity of the programme was partly behind organisers’ decision to schedule a second annual hui this week, the first time two would have been held in Northland in a single year.
Participants at this week’s healthy water-themed hui will focus on a variety of issues linked to Hurupaki School’s award-winning wetland project and include water quality testing, science experiments and other activities. Members of Northland’s ‘Experiencing Marine Reserves Programme’ will also run an activity on stormwater issues.
Mrs Karels says the two hui aim to celebrate the environment, environmental education and the Enviroschools programme, provide professional development for teachers and build and share knowledge through students and teachers learning from each other.
“These hui are also intended to motivate Enviroschools by helping new schools get started and giving more experienced schools inspiration and fresh ideas.”
She says schools participating in this week’s hui include:
Dargaville Intermediate, Hurupaki School, Kamo Primary, Mangakahia Area School, Ohaeawai School, Otamatea High School, St Francis Xavier School and Tauraroa Area School.