Environment focused kindy receives award

The Comrie Park Kindergarten/Nga Kakano Apopo community celebrates getting a Silver Enviroschool award from Northland Regional Council chairman Bill Shepherd and Enviroschools regional co-ordinator Susan Karels.

The environmental efforts of a Whangarei kindergarten have been recognised with a Silver Enviroschool Award from the Northland Regional Council.

Council chairman Bill Shepherd and Enviroschools regional co-ordinator Susan Karels presented Comrie Park Kindergarten, in Matarau, with the award ahead of the centre breaking up for the year.

The kindergarten is surrounded by trees, other natural areas and farmland. It has a rural outlook and a very involved and supportive community, head teacher Anna Thorpe said.

Ms Thorpe said Comrie Park Kindergarten/Nga Kakano Apopo lives and breathes its vision and becoming a Silver Enviroschool was something to celebrate.

"We want to build a community-focused kindergarten that encourages children to grow and develop a love for learning within a natural environment, supported with natural resources and enviro-friendly practices.

"We encourage respect for our land, our people (past and present) and are committed to the protection and sustainability of Papatuanuku for future generations."

Enviroschools is a growing network of schools, early childhood centres and communities in New Zealand and internationally that want to make a positive difference to our environment. In Northland, Enviroschools create an environmental pathway and then move along that chosen pathway. Each school or kindergarten starts from a unique place and each Enviroschools journey is different.

The awards are administered by the regional council in Northland and at the Silver level, an Enviroschools kindergarten demonstrates that it has a clear kindergarten vision and its community is working together creatively to make it happen.

Comrie Park is now branching into new aspects around sustainability as well as going deeper with existing ones.

"Our journey has involved lots of people in our kindergarten as well as parents, whanau and community members," Ms Thorpe said.

More than 70 schools and early childhood centres are in the scheme in Northland. To find out how to join check out www.nrc.govt.nz/For-Schools/Enviroschools/Become-an-Enviroschool.