Enviroschools Program

The Enviroschools program is a nationwide initiative supported by the Toimata Foundation, encouraging early childhood centers and schools to embark on a long-term sustainability journey. Through this program, tamariki and students connect with the environment, take action in their local communities, and collaborate on projects that promote sustainability.

Our Kaupapa (Mission) is about creating a healthy, peaceful, and sustainable world through shared learning and action. At the heart of this journey are five guiding principles that shape and inform every aspect of the Enviroschools program.

Guiding Principles

1. Empowered Learners

Learners actively engage in their community, with their creativity and perspectives valued. They feel connected to the land and collaborate to create meaningful change, fostering hope and collective action.

2. Learning for Sustainability

A holistic, action-focused approach to learning that addresses all aspects of both local and global environments. It involves engaging students in the process of creating sustainable futures through informed action.

3. Te Ao Māori

This principle honours the knowledge, traditions, and practices of tangata whenua (Māori people), recognising the deep relationship they have with the land. It guides sustainable actions based on local hapū's history, tikanga, and aspirations.

4. Respect for Diversity

Diversity in identity and ability is celebrated, fostering a fair and cooperative society. Cultural traditions and practices from all people are appreciated, ensuring accessible and safe learning environments for everyone.

5. Sustainable Communities

Sustainable communities nurture nature and people alike, focusing on long-term well-being. By working together, we create healthy, equitable, and thriving communities, ensuring future generations can continue to thrive.

Our Schools Involved

We are proud to work with two local schools that are part of the Enviroschools initiative:

Pongaroa School

Explore the exciting sustainability projects at Pongaroa School through our photo gallery. See how students are actively engaged in making a positive impact on their environment as part of the Enviroschools program.

Pongaroa School
term 1

Wow what a term we have had at Pongaroa, it started off with our vision for the school and then we got busy teaching alongside their curriculum.

We did Bush studies and we are looking at how we can fix the bush, and let more natives grow as well as talking about track repairs new signage etc, while in the bush we did art from only stuff found on the bush floor.

This term we have done scavenger hunts, we hid the rocks from our PPCC Haora day in the bush for the juniors and middle class to see how many they can spot, We did animal classification, cow digestion and pasture identification , in the last 2 weeks we have focused on milk production and taste they have tried 7 different types of milk, and did a milk experiment then we made butter from cream and put on hot cross buns, and milkshakes and ice-cream.

We Held a beach day were we had four different stations in the morning then after lunch we did a full school beach clean up, the stations were rocky shore, sand sculptures, a beach Scavenger hunt, and running races.