WORLD OF WASTE (WOW) tour

On the 6^th August the Year 5 and 6 Greenies went on a WORLD OF WASTE (WOW) tour with the HCC (thanks Micheline!). We learned all about how rubbish is handled safely in the Hutt Valley. We also learned about recycling by visiting EARTHLINK and the SEAVIEW RECYCLING STATION.  At The Dowse Art Gallery we learned about how Maori recycle plants into useful and environment friendly things. It was too wet to visit the WORM FARM. Here are some photos from our trip.

 Keeping safe

 

Recycling items

 Rubbish tip

 

Recycling station

 

Ready for transporting

 

Learning about Papatuanuku Earth Mother

MATARIKI AND SUSTAINING OUR MAORI CULTURE

As an Enviroschool we know the importance of sustaining and celebrating our Maori culture. Here at Boulcott we have been studying Maori legends to celebrate Matariki. Here is some of our artwork about Matariki and these legends.

WELLINGTON HABOUR:

Once long ago, before the time of Kupe, when Te Ika-a-Māui was just fished from the depths of the ocean, there lived two taniwha, Ngake and Whātaitai.

In those times, Wellington Harbour, Te Whanganui-a-Tara, was a lake cut off from the sea, and abundant in fresh water fish and native bird life. Ngake and Whātaitai lived here in the lake at the head of the fish of Māui (Te Ika-a-Māui)...

MATARIKI:

Matariki is the Māori name for the small cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades or the Seven Sisters, in the Taurus constellation. In New Zealand it comes into view low on the north-eastern horizon, appearing in the tail of the Milky Way in the last days of May or in early June, just before dawn. This heralds the Māori New Year.

So what's this COMMUNITY GARDEN all about?

Our Vision

To create an enduring, lush and fertile organic vegetable garden that is “owned” by the children, staff, parents and wider community. 

Our Philosophy

The garden is:

·      Organic - meaning we don’t use man-made chemicals or pesticides. We feed the soil organic  material and use techniques such as crop rotation, companion planting.

·      A source of fresh fruit and vegetables for the school.

·      An important part of the delivery of the Enviroschools programme.

·      A collaborative effort – children, staff, parents and wider community.

·      A place for learning and growing – people and plants.

·      A place to have fun!

The Great Postcard Project

Most of the classes are taking part in the Great Postcard Project. The stamps will be arriving early next week so you can begin to get them posted off. Remember to try and include something about Boulcott's budding sustainable environment.

For those of you who would like to use Te Reo Maori on your postcards here are a few ideas:

• We care for our environment. - Ka tiaki matou i ta tatou taiao.
• We are caretakers of our earthmother. - He kaitiaki matou i a Papatuanuku.
• We learn about taking care of our environment. - Ka ako matou i nga tikanga ki te tiaki i te taiao.
• We enjoy working to care for our environment. - Ka harikoa matou i nga mahi hei tiaki i te taiao.
• We are all responsible for protecting our environment. - Na tatou katoa te kawenga mo te tiaki i te taiao.
• We grow food - Ka tipu kai matou.
• We plant trees - Ka whakato rakau matou.
• We save water - Ka rahui wai matou.
• We save energy - Ka rahui pungao matou.
• I / we walk to school - Ka hikoi au / matou ki te kura. 

I can't wait to see the postcards we get back!

To great beginnings ...

 We had a wonderful day digging and planting the beginnings of our Community Garden project. The idea behind this is we will, as a school, broaden our community, giving everyone a place to come and plant their veggies.
To all the kids, parents and staff that joined in THANK YOU! We hope to have another gardening day soon. Watch this space.