Vardon School

Enviro 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 meansliving 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 meansthe regeneration of resilient, connected communities

in which people care for each other and the environment.

It meansvaluing 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 Mori 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 Mori 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 everyones 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

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

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 didnt 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.

Lyns 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.

Whos 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 seeinga 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. *