Heretaunga's Silver Success

Heretaunga Kindergarten, Upper Hutt, celebrates becoming a Silver Enviroschool, next Monday 30 March 2015, 11am-12pm.   Upper Hutt Mayor, Wayne Guppy, will present a certificate and join children for a short tour to learn more about the environmental work they have been doing.

The kindergarten's journey towards becoming a Silver Enviroschool has seen the environmental practices they had already established including: a worm farm, recycling system and water tanks, embedded into the kindergarten's practices and learning curriculum.  They have worked with their community to continue to build in practices for a sustainable future, develop a shared vision for the kindergarten and explore Maori perspectives of the environment.

Heretaunga Kindergarten children are now regularly, and actively, involved in tasks such as reducing food packaging and composting left-overs.  Staff at the kindergarten reflect each day on aspects of the sustainability curriculum and encourage children's input.  The community are demonstrably proud of their vision: "We care for the environment, all living creatures and each other."

Upper Hutt City Council joined the Enviroschools network as a funding partner in July 2014. Their support, combined with the regional support of Greater Wellington Regional Council, means that an Enviroschools Facilitator now works alongside Upper Hutt schools and early childhood centres as they progress together towards more sustainable communities.

Currently Heretaunga Kindergarten is one of five communities that have made the commitment to an ongoing journey with the Enviroschools Programme in Upper Hutt: alongside them are Brown Owl and Cottle Kindergartens, Plateau and Pinehaven Schools.  Silverstream School are also preparing to join the programme.  Plateau School, who have been championing the Enviroschools Programme since 2004, are working towards being acknowledged as a Green-Gold Enviroschool. 

GWRC works in partnership with territorial authorities to support the Enviroschools Programme across the region.  Enviroschools contribute to ecological regeneration and the creation of healthy, resilient and sustainable communities.

www.enviroschools.org.nz/in_your_region/wellington

 For more information contact Michelle Ducat, Wellington Regional Enviroschools Early Childhood Co-ordinator: 021 057 4615.