Enviroschools signs for littlies

The youngsters at Rewanui early childhood centre were exciting about receiving their Enviroschools sign this week. From left are Ryker Davis, Brax Beckett, Beau Gray, Kitt Vendt, Dougie Allen, Pearl McLean and Briella Worsnop.Picture supplied

Enviroschools facilitators delivered six new signs to early childhood education centres around Tairāwhiti this week.

Tairāwhiti Enviroschools regional coordinator Charlotte Phelps said the signs were presented to the centres to reflect their commitment to the Enviroschools programme over the past year.

Up until the last 12 months, the Tairāwhiti Enviroschools programme had been based in primary, intermediate and secondary schools.

Ms Phelps said last year, for the first time in the 15 years the programme has been running, Tairāwhiti Enviroschools expanded to early childhood centres.

“Having early childhood centres get involved in the programme has been great. It’s a completely different style of learning and it’s awesome to see the progress happening at these centres.

“These centres are creating change — change for their students, their teachers and their community.”

Rewanui, Barnardos, The Farmyard, Knox Street Kindergarten, Montessori and Rakakao Kindergarten were all recipients of the new signs.

“It was really neat to deliver the signs and see the excitement on the kids’ faces.

“They took us around their centres and showed us their vege gardens, their native trees and their worm farms.

“The teachers were proud — proud to be involved and proud to have their mahi recognised.”

Enviroschools is a programme where students are encouraged to design and lead sustainability projects in their schools and communities.

Tairāwhiti Enviroschools is led by the Gisborne District Council with support from the Williams Trust, Eastland Port and the Toimata Foundation. A total of 31 schools and seven early childhood centres are involved in the programme.

To find out more about the joining the Tairāwhiti Enviroschools programme, visit the Enviroschools website.