Enviroschools

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What are Enviroschools?

Environmental education for sustainability is an action-focused approach to learning that uses the physical, social, cultural and political aspects of our environment.

Enviroschools are based on the principle of sustainability. Sustainability is a way of being and acting that nurtures people and nature, now and in the future.

The Enviroschools Programme is designed for primary, intermediate and secondary schools. It aims to integrate environmental education into the whole of school life. Students are able to take part in planning, designing and changing the school’s environment to make it a healthy, stimulating and sustainable place. Students are empowered to become active environmental citizens for life.

The Waikato Enviroschools programme is supported by Waikato Regional Council along with district and city councils.

Our commitment

The Enviroschools programme is offered to schools in return for a commitment to:

engage as a whole school in a journey towards sustainability
enable students to take action on real-life projects
share successes and challenges with the Enviroschools network
participate in networking events and professional development opportunities.

Our approach

The Enviroschools Programme is a whole school approach to learning where students plan, design and create a sustainable school with the support of their community.

The programme was designed with primary and intermediate schools and is now being adapted by secondary schools and early childhood providers. By becoming an enviroschool your school can benefit from improved classroom and outdoor surroundings, improved efficiency in the day-to-day running of your school, improved school management and better relations between staff, students and your school’s community.

Working with the curriculum

Enviroschools work within the curriculum framework and Guidelines for Environmental Education to make learning a practical and fun experience. There is no fixed formula for being an enviroschool, rather there are the following key values and concepts:

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Sense of place

The whole school environment is a learning resource.

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Participation

Involving the whole school community, including students, teachers, caretakers, boards of trustees, families / whanau and the wider community.

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A sense of purpose

Students are inspired to create a healthy, peaceful and sustainable school.

Benefits of being an Enviroschool

Select a tab

Physical surroundings
Day-to-day running of your school
Working with the community
School management

Physical surroundings

Enviroschools can benefit from improved physical surroundings, inside the classroom and outdoors.
Careful planning and design of a school’s physical surroundings ensures:

classrooms are healthy and environmentally friendly

waste is recycled and composted as much as possible

the school incorporates and is in harmony with local ecosystems and wildlife

the school’s environment recognises and preserves significant landmarks.

Day-to-day running of your school

The day-to-day running of an enviroschool can benefit from:

reduced waste and the creation of ways to reuse and recycle waste

reduced use of energy, water and other resources

use of environmentally friendly products

improved health of staff, students and nature.

Working with the community

Respect for the diversity of people and cultures is an important part of achieving a sustainable environment. It helps to create an environment that is fair, peaceful, co-operative and makes the most of our rich cultural traditions.
Maori perspectives and knowledge of the environment offer unique insights built up over time. Including Maori perspectives enriches the Enviroschools learning process and honours the status of indigenous people of this land.

School management

Enviroschools encourage appropriate and democratic school management, supporting people to:

communicate more with others

carry out self auditing and monitoring

consider equity and diversity when making decisions

have a sense of belonging and ownership.

Adding value to the curriculum

Enviroschools are able to add value to the prescribed curriculum by integrating various areas of school life. This helps teachers and students to:

make use of all learning experiences, including play
draw on the combined wisdom of our multi-cultural community
create opportunities for student environmental action
encourage critical questioning of resource use and lifestyle
promote reflection on personal values and behaviours.

The first unit students study in the Enviroschools process is called ‘Me in My Environment’. Students explore the total environment and contribute to a ‘Whole School Vision’. Environmental education can be integrated with your school’s physical surroundings, operational practices and organisational principles through the following five theme areas:

Living Landscapes
Ecological Buildings
Healthy Water
Precious Energy
Zero Waste.

News and links

Enviroschools Fund

Waikato Regional Council's Enviroschools Fund assists Enviroschools with projects that directly enhance and/or benefit the environment or provide environmental education.

Enviroschools website

Learn more about the Enviroschools national programme and its kaupapa, outcomes and benefits on the Enviroschools website.

Join us on Facebook

Join our friendly and supportive Facebook group to share inspiration, thoughts, learnings and more.

Waikato Enviroschools newsletter

Our newsletter is produced quarterly.