Vardon SchoolEnviro Schools

Where to from here? Why?

What is special about an Enviro- School?

Our aim:  to foster a generation of people who instinctively think and act sustainably. 

Sustainability has many different interpretations.

To Enviroschools it means living in a country where people work with positive energy to connect with each other, their cultural identity and their land, to create a healthier, peaceful, more equitable society.

It means the regeneration of resilient, connected communities in which people care for each other and the environment.  

It means valuing  indigenous knowledge and celebrating diversity so that everyone thrives.

We believe this can be achieved if we learn together in empowering and action oriented ways.

Enviroschools is a kaupapa

Enviroschools is a kaupapa

The Māori word kaupapa encompasses words in English such as foundation, principles, ideology, vision, approach, and philosophy.

The Enviroschools kaupapa is creating a healthy, peaceful and sustainable world through facilitating action-learning; where inter-generations of people work with and learn from nature. It weaves in Māori perspectives, combining traditional wisdoms with new understandings. Importantly, our kaupapa reminds us to be in connection: to love, care for and respect ourselves, each other and our planet.

Work through Section 1 in Teams and consider what it speaks of to you? What are the important philosophies?

Guiding Principles Two are explicit in the kaupapa and the other three are

embedded in the learning and action process.

In your teams, can you identify the guiding principles and explain their significance to the programme and what you understand from what you have learnt?

What is the learning and action process?

Links to the NZC Values:Innovation, Inquiry and Curiosity by thinking creatively about projects by thinking critically about things you have seen and how they

may contribute to the Whole School Vision by thinking reflectively on decisions made and processes used

to get there

Diversity of different cultures, languages and heritage as seen in the

community and how they are represented in projects and in the whole of school life

Equity through fairness and justice about the way decisions are made

with everyone’s input

Community and Participation: demonstrating a diversity of ideas and values such as peace and

manaakitanga by empowering students through engaging in learning and action projects that are

relevant for people and nature in the community

Links to the NZC Ecological Sustainability:

Care and action for the environment

Connections to the land and environment

Integrity:

Being honest, responsible and acting ethically

Respecting self, others and human rights as well as the integrity of the ecosystems that support life on our planet.

Links to Curriculum areas. Literacy: Reading, writing , speaking, viewing and presenting, posing and answering questions Numeracy: Modelling and solving problems, applying knowledge and skills especially the strand areas. Number and Algebra, Geometry and Movement, and Statistics Science: Planet Earth and Beyond, The Physical World, The

Material World and The Living World The Arts: Music, Drama, Dance and Visual Art Maori: PE: Relationships with Others and Healthy Communities and

Environments. Health: Hauora, Attitudes and values, Health promotion Social Sciences: Identity, Culture and Organisation, Place and

Envoirnment, Continuity and Change; and the Economic World Technology: Technological Practice, Technological Knowledge

and the Nature of Technology

Links to Key Competencies: Managing self:

Enterprising, resourceful students Establishing personal goals, making plans, managing projects meeting challenges Motivated with a “can do” attitude

Participating and Contributing: Being actively involved in communities: school and whanau. Getting together for learning, celebration and reflection Involved in local, national and global communities Making connections with others and sharing learning Contributing to the quality and sustainability of social, cultural, physical and economic life

Links to Key Competencies: Relating to others:

Interacting effectively with a diverse range of people in

a variety of different contexts

Ability to listen actively, recognise different points of

view, negotiate and share ideas

Work effectively together to come up with new

approaches, ideas and ways of thinking Using Language, Symbols and Texts:

Working with and making meaning of a variety of symbols,

language and text

Links to Key Competencies:

Thinking:

Developing understanding

Constructing meaning

Making decisions

Being creative and curious

Problem Solving

Reflection on Vardon School has done so far?

Brainstorm with your team what has been trialed or implemented so far at Vardon School ?

What has worked well and why?

What didn’t work so well and why?

What could we explore next?

What else have you seen, been involved with or would like to see happen at Vardon?

Enviro –school Resources What is available to you in the school?

Facilitator: Adrienne Grant

Books: Enviro- Schools Handbook

: Enviro- schools Kit 1 &2 – includes lesson

plans.

Lyn’s personal resources… Water,

Environmental Education

Looking ahead?Vardon School received our Bronze Enviro –schools award in 2006…

What is our commitment to moving forward to the Silver Enviro –Schools Award?

What do we need to need to achieve in order to receive our Silver Award?

Carefully explore the descriptive paragraph about Silver and then reflect on Bronze…. What is different? What else do we need to do? How will we achieve this?

Read the criteria for the Bronze and Silver awards….what are the shifts between them? How closely do you think the school fits with the Silver award ?

What words or ideas stand out? Record these.

Who’s responsibility is this?

Preparation needs to be under way… this is a journey and needs everyone on board.

It requires preparation, commitment and input from all in the school… from the junior school to the senior school and is embedded practice across the school (not the responsibility of one teacher or one class).

Being an Enviroschool means being committed to the journey of empowering students to create sustainable communities.

Benefits of an Enviro School

Enviroschools is a unique sustainability journey.   Through exploration, discovery and connections with the environment tamariki and students experience how to make decisions and take action to improve the physical and social environment of our places, our community and our world.  We are seeing a wide range benefits from this approach.

Benefits for students: A sense of belonging and contribution

Recognition of the different skills and qualities of themselves and others

Skills of working together, making decisions, planning and taking action

Increased confidence

Hands on practical ways to engage with the curriculum and learning

“In the current climate (educational) of a narrowing curriculum, the enviroschools programme gives most of our children opportunities to succeed in areas other than numeracy and literacy.” *

“Student ownership and understanding of how people can make plans and affect changes to make an environment a better more sustainable place to be. Taking action! Making things happen!” *

Benefits for Enviroschools:

Increased pride and responsibility for caring for the school environment

More inspiring and healthy school grounds

Financial savings through saving resources

More engaged and motivated students

Increased links with whanau and community

A framework and resources that support school staff

“Huge awareness raising by all children - children are more empowered as the "caretakers" of our environment.” *