Enviroschools is a schoolwide approach to learning that develops knowledge, understanding, sensitivity, awareness, participation, attitude and commitment to Sustainable Living and Environmental Education.

Our Vision Statement - “At Kimbolton School we support our school whanau through an attitude of kindness, teamwork and respect.  Our growing knowledge is creating a welcoming, peaceful and sustainable environment.”

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The aims of Enviroschools Education at Kimbolton School:

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Aim 1:  Everyone is involved and can participate.  The processes involve all ages, teachers, management, parents, our school community, local community and wider community.

Aim 2:   The Kaupapa is designed to create healthy, peaceful, sustainable and responsible citizens and practices where learning and taking action is done together.

Aim 3:  Students gain an understanding of the sense of purpose.  Students learn to nurture the taiao (environment) and tangata (people around them).  Learning is lived and reinforced when tasks have a purpose driven by interaction with the environment, developing citizens who know why they are doing what they’re doing.

Aim 4:  Empowering students allows them to participate and make decisions in a genuine way, from their own unique and creative perspective, to enrich the development of the environment.

Aim 5:  Enviroschools is a holistic, action-focused approach which engages our whole selves and addresses the physical, social, cultural and political aspects of our local and global environment.

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Environmental Education and the New Zealand Curriculum Framework

The framework sets out the official teaching, learning and assessment in New Zealand Schools.  The Localised Curriculum links the total school curriculum while providing a range of experiences and opportunities to meet the aims of Environmental Education.  Environmental Education promotes collaboration within and across the community, incorporating Science capabilities, the Kāhui Ako and learning that could benefit the whole community.

NZ Curriculum

- Science
- Technology
- Social sciences
- Health

Key Competencies

- Managing Self
- Thinking
- Relating to Others
- Participating and Contributing

Whole School Approach

Place - Wahi
Practices - Tikanga
Programmes - Kaupapa
People and Participation - Tangata

Key Dimensions

- In class
- Outdoor environment
- Across the school
- Within the community

Kimbolton School Waka Values - application to Enviroschools Learning

W - Whānau

Students work collaboratively and build positive relationships.
Students take pride in belonging to our school.

A - Attitude

Students explore learning opportunities with a can do attitude.  They act responsibly and show enthusiasm and commitment. 

K - Kindness

Students interact with respect.  They are helpful and considerate while caring for property, others and themselves.

A - Achievement

Students want to learn and allow themselves and others to achieve their best.  
They acknowledge and celebrate success often.

Ngā Mātāpono - Guiding Principles

There are 5 Guiding Principles embedded within the Enviroschools Process:
Learning for Sustainability - a holistic process based in real-life contexts, achieving a wide range of outcomes.
Empowered Students - through active participation young people can make a difference and lead the way. 
Maori Perspectives - knowledge and insights of human interaction with the land, honouring the Maori culture.
Sustainable Communities - acting in ways that nurture all aspects of nature, now and in the future.
Respect for the Diversity of People and Culture - integral to achieving a sustainable environment in New Zealand - one that is fair, peaceful and co-operative.  Acknowledges the rich traditions of many cultures.

Theme Areas

The Enviroschools Programme uses the Guiding Principles as framework for teaching and learning.
The contextual learning incorporates the following theme areas and key concepts:
Me In My Environment - Everything is connected - Whanaungatanga.  Natural systems sustain life.
Living Landscapes - habitats, ecosystems, people’s values and care for the land, interaction with the land.
Energy - Uses of energy forms, transformations, collective energy and our impacts on the world.
Water - Water is essential for life.  Fresh, clean water is scarce and working with nature can improve its health.
Zero Waste - Waste is a modern human product.  Developing management systems to reduce our impact.
Ecological Building - Building comes from nature, and expresses people’s culture and relationships.

Programme Indicators

Kimbolton School runs a programme providing students with Environmental Education opportunities.  The programme is supported by Horizons Regional Council, the Manawatu District Council and several other bodies.  Classes are allocated Enviro lessons on a regular basis with these lessons being both indoors and outdoors.  Lessons are taken in class groups, mixed age groups and school wide.  Members of our local and wider community are often included in the programme also.  Members share their expertise while working alongside students, creating enhanced learning through the delivery of more knowledge. 

Specific indicators:

 

To provide students with a wide range of opportunities that cater for varied interests and abilities.

 

To learn skills and knowledge within the school environment that is beyond the daily classroom teaching.

 

To utilise the resources and expertise of others in our community and to expose students to different ideas, professions and points of view and opinions.

 

To use Enviroschools Education as a medium to enable students to develop an awareness and sensitivity to the natural environment and biodiversity.

 

To teach students to be responsible for their own impact on the environment.

 

To allow students to participate in decision making.

 

To develop skills in identifying, investigating and solving problems.

 

To develop a sense of responsibility through participation and action.

 

To identify and encourage leadership and building partnerships.

To interact with Council representatives working for the improved development of our environment.  Working with Tangata Whenua to learn historical and traditional knowledge is an essential element.

Enviroschools Status Achieved

2005 - Silver Award
2009 - Green Gold Award
2015 - Green Gold Award
2020 - Green Gold Award