Pupils Aria Willia-Bregmen, 5, Lillian Whitney, 8, and Peter Kilsby-Halliday, 7, in the new bush area at Ōhau School.
Pupils Aria Willia-Bregmen, 5, Lillian Whitney, 8, and Peter Kilsby-Halliday, 7, in the new bush area at Ōhau School.
Ōhau School pupils are ready to learn in nature.
The school has recently opened a new bush area for children to learn and play in.
Principal Dianne McKee said the new area allows children to take their learning outside.
“After conversations with tamariki about what they would love to see at Ōhau School, it was decided to turn an area of bush that was unused and unloved into a space that the children could play and learn in. There is no better place than being immersed in nature. It’s certainly great for everyone’s wellbeing."
She said a dedicated group of staff, parents and tamariki worked on the project.
“Materials, tools and earth moving gear were brought in to take on the heavy work, along with donations of gravel and bark mulch, and the sweat and determination of all those who gave their time and energy to this project.”
Ōhau School's new bush area.
McKee said the group worked hard to make the new bush area.
“It was hard to see past the overgrown kawakawa and the trees that needed to be felled and pruned, but the vision and creative thinking of our kaiako and staff brought together a plan that would turn this space into somewhere for our tamariki to explore and enjoy.”
“You can see our tamariki jumping from stump to stump, and hear them laughing and enjoying the space. There are nature creations popping up under the trees and at the newly installed mud kitchen.”
The area is complete just in time for the new year, she said.
From next year, schools are moving to structured literacy and numeracy but Ōhau School is already ahead of the game, she said.
“Structured Literacy and PR1ME maths have been part of our curriculum for the last three years, so our Ōhau School kids now have the opportunity to take their learning outside the classroom. Our amazing teachers have been implementing structured literacy and maths and our tamariki now have this fantastic outside area to play and learn in."
