Educational Gardens

Using Permaculture design we work with students and community to create low-maintenance food, flower and habitat gardens as valuable resources/outdoor learning areas and legacy plantings. Including students creatively encourages ownership and pride in the school and these gardens allow students to observe and monitor local increases in biodiversity.

A full range range of subjects can be involved, from the sciences, mathematics, design, construction, documentation, project planning and management. Design and construction of these areas develop real life literacy and numeracy skills. Plantings and wildlife habitat contribute to staff and student wellbeing, providing some welcome respite from what can be stressful environments.

Student projects are site specific and include;

• The selection of a neglected on-site area.

• An audit of current school practises and goals, and the development of a long term Permaculture plan to connect the needs of the entire site.

• Reducing, reusing and recycling all waste streams (via compost, worm farms etc).

• Working with teachers to design and deliver projects/workshops anchored in curriculum.

• Collaborative design and construction of food, flower, habitat, or medicinal (Rōngoa) gardens.

• The development of student research and observation skills, relating to native species, habitat and wildlife.

• Collaboration with students on concept development and the painting of murals which can act as visual learning aids and relate to earth systems, biodiversity, habitat and climate action.