With a shift of the Enviroschools holistic reflection process towards a simplified student-centric approach, Enviroschools Regional Co-ordinator Manawatū Whanganui, Sarah Williams, was curious to find out from the students at Ōpiki School what changes they could see since becoming an Enviroschool and what this means for them.
Sharing learning and action
The sharing of what has been happening at Ōpiki School started with each of the enviro-group leaders giving an overview of their group and projects: Biodiversity group, Fruit and Vegetable group, Sustainability group and the Poplar Reserve group.
What was awesome about their presentations was their simple format – each talked about the aims of their project/group, what they have done, what difference their mahi was doing, and what their next steps were.
You can check out their slide show here: 2024, ES, Manawatu Whanganui_Opiki School Enviroschool Holistic Reflection Presentation
The school gives students lots of opportunities to share their knowledge and build confidence. They understand that, although it may not come naturally to them, public speaking is a useful skill to have.
As we were guided around school grounds, the student leaders showed they were a very confidence bunch of 11-12 year olds. They were knowledgeable, articulate and enthusiastic about their learning and actions. Many of the enviro-leaders had wanted this role of responsibility as they were passionate about the environment and wanted to help.
Lachy who is in the Poplar Reserve group (which aims to improve the local DOC reserve for wildlife), said “at first I was really nervous talking to people, especially other students but then I realised that I knew my stuff and that I didn’t need to be nervous”.
The leaders had already given the other senior students a tour around the reserve. But this was put to the test when one of the schools from Palmerston North brought three classes out to the reserve to learn what the Poplar Reserve group were doing. Lachy said he enjoyed the fact that the other kids were looking up to him and seemed excited about what he was talking about. Next term the senior leaders are giving tours to the younger students from the school. This is helping to pass on and build their skills further.