Bronwyn is Back!
Ōtātara Community Connections Alive and Well
Term 1 2025 has seen the connections between Ōtātara School, the Southland Community Nursery and the Otatara Landcare Group continue to grow. The beginning of March I started as kaiako (teacher) 3 days a week at Ōtātara School continuing my association with the school, from our children’s school days and working as an environmental educator with the Southland Community Nursery.
Later in March it was great to have the Southland Community Nursery open once again for Ōtātara School. Bug building, seed and leaf identifying, who lives where? nature art, nature wondering and learning about animal pests were the activities that a group of year 3 and 4 students from Ōtātara School experienced, spending a morning of their outdoor week at the Southland Community Nursery. Viewing the pond, exploring the restored forest and estimating how many plants the nursery produces in a year rounded off the visit. The looking, noticing, wondering, and investigation nature of the visit highlighted the connection between the school and this local place in our wider community. See News and Events • Southland Community Nursery for more news. The school and the Landcare group are in discussions. See News & Events • Otatara Landcare Group for more information.
The enthusiasm and the mahi that the school, Landcare Group and the Southland Community Nursery groups do in and for the environment is evidence of how wonderful these communities are. Along with tree removal and fencing work last year and over the summer at the school, the Bushy Point restoration planting site turning 25 this year, and the amazing place that is Ōtātara, the possible projects because of these community connections makes for an exciting year – watch this space!
Bronwyn Graham
Teacher – Environmental Education Specialist
Ōtātara School
Posted: 1 June 2025