Big plans for Aberfeldy School in 2018

Aberfeldy School principal Fran Lambert

Aberfeldy School principal Fran Lambert is looking ahead to next year with some excitement.

The school is joining the Whanganui East Rural Schools Cluster, aiming to become a bronze Enviroschool and will complete it's outdoor learning classroom.

"It's going to be an exciting year in 2018," Mrs Lambert said.

For many years the school has been part of the Enviroschools programme, which integrates sustainability into the school environment.

"All the children, staff and larger school community are involved in that," she said.

Next year Aberfeldy will complete its bronze "reflection".

"It means that it's becoming embedded in the school and the wider school community, the board and the teaching staff," Mrs Lambert's said.

"It's not just about growing stuff. It's much broader than that."

Meanwhile, the school has also received funding to complete it's outdoor classroom which will include a weather station, shaded places to read and write and will be able to be used for lessons.

"Our children actually thought it up," Mrs Lambert said.

"It'll be something very special and something the children have worked on for ages."

The school was also joining the Whanganui East Rural Schools cluster which would provide pupils with more opportunities, Mrs Lambert said.

"Teachers doing a lot of professional development together and older students do leadership days together which they would get to do at a bigger school."

Aberfeldy will also be working with Mangamahu School on a science technology and leadership programme.

Mrs Lambert said the school roll was looking good and with new students starting it could sit around 27 in 2018.

Last year the school won a national award for an anti-bullying video.