Green school earns gold award

Ngatimoti School is seeing green and gold after receiving national recognition for its sustainable approach to education.

The school, along with Richmond's Salisbury School, have been awarded a Green Gold Enviroschools award, the highest level of recognition in the national Enviroschools programme.

Enviroschools' Jan Cox, from the Kapiti Coast, and Chris Morrison, from Hawke's Bay, visited Ngatimoti School yesterday and student leaders showed the pair around.

The visit provided only "a snapshot" of Ngatimoti School and some of its sustainable projects, but it was enough to show that it deserved the award, said Ms Cox.

"It represents a step in their sustainability journey," she said.

"They have got a whole lot of things that are really embedded at the school and the students really know that their ideas are valued and welcome."

Amy Dell, the teacher in charge of the Enviroschools programme at Ngatimoti School, said students dedicated Wednesday afternoons to environmental education and "hands-on practical learning". Projects included restoring a stream the school adopted in 2002 and making a living willow hut, she said.

Student leader Irene Post, 12, said receiving the award was "awesome".

"We worked quite hard for it and put in a lot of effort." The school had been aiming for the top award since gaining silver in 2005, she said.

Student leader Zander Glasgow, 13, said it felt "pretty good" to join the ranks of another six Green Gold Enviroschools in the South Island. There are now 19 around the country.

Principal Ali Turner said gaining the award had been "a long process with lots of people involved".

"Being an environmental school is something that we're known for and I think it stands our kids in great stead for the future," she said.

Dan Haynes, the teacher in charge of the Enviroschools programme at Salisbury School, said the school was "thrilled" with its award, which had been about seven years in the making.

The school was awarded bronze in 2005 and silver in 2007 and would continue to maintain its native garden and had an environmental camp coming up next term, he said.

- © Fairfax NZ News