AGE School has joined the roster of education centres partnering with Te Hōnonga a Iwi, with a small group of students making a big impact at the restoration site across winter.
Project co-ordinator Nicky Shave says a core group of four students and Senior Learning Coach Nyel Rodger have carried out four working bees at the site and will be back for more.
The students from AGE have systematically deconstructed five bioreactors, enabling access to compost for planting and the transfer of the reactors to the 2024-25 site, where they will be used to convert pest plants to compost for the final 4000m2 of land that needs restoring within the park.
They have also rebuilt a reactor and palette platforms to enable the project team to start composting one tonne of bioorganic waste from 2024 pest plants.
AGE School is a boutique urban school in Takapuna, designed for children from year 1 to 13 who thrive in smaller class sizes.
“Our school focus in Term 1 was on exploration, which some of our classes examined through a lens of discovery about the plant and wildlife in our area, and the importance of conservation of Aotearoa's natural heritage,” says Nyel.
The AGE students enjoy the chance to get outdoors and feel like they are doing something useful. “They appreciate getting to try something different, in a smaller group away from the usual routine. This group alternated between working bees at Rosedale Park and creating birdhouses for ruru in the school's technology room.”
With numerous hiccups to resolve among the larger challenge of moving equipment and material around, volunteering at the site has improved the students’ problem-solving skills and their ability to work as a unit.
“Learning about how bioreactors work, and how restoration projects can be implemented in ways that preserve and enhance growth, are helpful in expanding their views and understanding of the world. Their positive experience will hopefully translate to greater conservation efforts among their whānau and classmates.”
The core group of restoration volunteers plan to keep coming to the site regularly and the school is also hoping to do one-off working bees with a bigger group of students from across the school.
“The students at AGE school bring high-level problem-solving skills, encyclopaedic knowledge about aspects of Te Taiao, teamwork and lots of ideas. It's the perfect recipe when combined with expert teacher Nyel, who facilitates the learning of new skills and techniques on the back of each students’ strengths and interests,” Nicky says.
“It's been inspiring and a real joy to work alongside this team. People like this are our future designers, scientists, entrepreneurs. It's been insightful to hear their vision and ideas and use their creativity to generate high value solutions.”
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