At our centre, learning extends beyond the classroom. With the creation of a community garden and hands-on insect explorations, tamariki are discovering the wonders of nature. Thanks to the generosity of whānau, this shared vision is becoming a reality.
One of the most exciting developments this month has been the early formation of our community garden. Leah and the team have been working tirelessly to bring their shared vision to life—a space where we can grow vegetables to support our local community, feed our worm farm and bunnies, and nourish the 40+ children who attend our centre each day.
This dream is slowly becoming a reality thanks to the incredible generosity of our wider whānau. One of our amazing whānau, through their business Croft Poles, kindly donated the timber for our planter boxes. Another whānau then took the lead in constructing the boxes, donating not only their time but also the help of their employees from their business, Plant Pro. They went above and beyond—cleaning out the old chicken coop, installing the planter boxes in their new home, and even filling them with fresh soil. We are deeply grateful for the time, resources, and heart that went into supporting this kaupapa. Your contributions have laid the foundation for something truly special.
Our inquiry focus this month has been on insects and critters, and it has been a fascinating journey for our tamariki. Through research, observation, and hands-on learning, they have been exploring the miniature world of bugs with curiosity and delight.
We have also been fortunate to have members of our community share their expertise. Eco-Solutions joined us to help build bug houses, creating safe and educational spaces for our tiny friends. One of our tamariki’s mums led engaging workshops on planting flowers and understanding pollination. Another mum generously donated a variety of seeds and is currently germinating flowers for us to plant. These contributions have enriched our learning environment and brought our community even closer together.