Ismaili students learning and doing in our latest education programme

We have co-designed a new educational programme with Faressa, a teacher who supports Ismaili students, to connect them with the restoration work underway at Rosedale Park.

Through this programme, students explore concepts of belonging in nature and gain an understanding of how environmental health supports thriving people and communities.

Alongside this learning, students will develop practical skills through hands-on activities in the Māra Kai, including pruning, weeding, and mulching. As well as planting cover crops in the ngāhere, caring for chickens, and undertaking freshwater quality testing in the stream.

These weekly sessions are initially run by Nicky Shave, and then our fabulous working bee coordinators, Anna and Miriam, take over.

“The partnership is a special one,” explains Project Coordinator Nicky Shave.

“We have connected with a new local faith-based community group who are working hard to support their young people to invest in Aotearoa and their future through greater connection to culture, the awa and whenua.”

This 10-week education programme provides students with the opportunity to actively contribute to nature regeneration while building knowledge and skills throughout Terms 3 and 4, with a final graduation day to celebrate their achievements.

“This programme was developed with the intention to meet the community vision at Ismaili Education to offer meaningful ecological action inspired by shared hope and to secure a greater level of community inclusion.”

Inclusion and diversity are at the heart of what we want to achieve at Te Hono.

“Increased diversity offers us the chance to support more young people to take climate action, increase biodiversity, and build resilience through learning, problem solving and look for solutions with greater depth and breadth,” explains Nicky.

It has been amazing to welcome these new students on site and we can’t wait for the shared learning within this partnership.