If you want a reason to feel good about the future, spend some time in a Kaipara classroom.
That’s been the experience of Sustainable Kaipara educator Kerryn Green, who has spent recent months working alongside teachers and tamariki across the region. So far this year, she’s reached 547 children across 14 schools and community workshops; and her reports back have been consistently encouraging.
” I’ve been so inspired by the mahi teachers across Kaipara are doing to help children understand how important it is to look after Papatuanuku. I love sparking new ideas and conversations around sustainability, sharing little things we can all do – and also getting children excited about the bigger picture too. There are so many stories of children taking responsibility for their waste in different ways. I’m sure we have the next generation of great innovators and waste savers right here in Kaipara.”
One project that stands out is the new māra kai at Kaihu Valley School. Kerryn joined Enviroschools, Garden to Table and whanau to help get the school garden underway. There’s now a space where students can learn about growing their own food, soil heath and composting.
Mangawhai Beach School recently conducted a waste audit. Two classes collected the school’s rubbish over three days, weighed it, and sorted it into recycling, compost, soft plastics and landfill. Students were able to clearly identify what didn’t need to end up in landfill.
Kids have a way of remembering these things. After a worm farm session at Dargaville Primary, several students spotted Kerryn in the playground the next day just to talk more about worms. Their teachers have since had them writing about worm farming.
That same energy showed up in July, at our two sewing and upcycling workshops in Mangawhai and Dargaville. Old t-shirts got a second life as reusable bags and dog toys. A bunch of young people got stuck in on the sewing machines and created alongside the adults, learning valuable textile repair and creativity skills.
At Sustainable Kaipara, we’re looking forward to doing even more of this in the second half of the year – more gardens, more workshops, more chances for tamariki across the region to get involved!
We have seen kids across Kaipara that are curious, passionate, enthusiastic and really willing to give things a go. It gives us real confidence in where Kaipara is heading.
If your school, classroom or group would like to get involved get in touch at kerryn@sustainablekaipara.org
This article was originally written for Mangawhai Focus Environmental column
Author Charlie Priestley
