dropping of Enviroschool funding runs the risk of losing vital knowledge built up by the programme
Feathers are rustled in anticipation of the revised curriculum. Khandallah School Principal Louise Green says the dropping of Enviroschool funding runs the risk of losing vital knowledge built up by the programme. “We have defiantly benefited over the years from the programme. They have taken funds from an awesome project that kids, families and the community come together for. “It’s a real shame the funding has ceased,” Mrs Green says. Financial support for Enviroschool coordinators and training has stopped, which places the ability to educate new school staff “about the big picture” in jeopardy. “The fear is if there are no funds it will be harder to sustain the programme without the backup we had before,” she says. In the revised curriculum there is a focus on sustainability and future planning, but the onus is on schools to implement their own ideas. Mrs Green is positive about the overall changes, which she says allows communities to adapt to their own needs and set the direction of learning. “In the curriculum there is a clear future focus, but we will have to do that unsupported. “We are on a journey... [the curriculum] will bring teaching into the 21st Century,” she says. Greenacres School in Tawa is also positive about the revised teaching methods and Principal Graeme Schofield says the less ridged structure will allow schools to evolve. “We are finding it really good; basically it’s much more compatible with including the basics with what it happening in the community. “The school is able to adapt to meet its own needs,” he says. The task of re-wiring the school’s teaching style will take time to implement, and Mr Schofield says next year they will be pushing for new computers. “We use computing as a tool and not an end. They are good for math and literacy, and we also want to expand the aspect of visual design on computers,” he says. Greenacres never signed on to Enviroschools but continue to recycle and grow vegetables as part of a sustainable focus.
