Twenty eight enthusiastic children from Fernworth Primary came to experience the Community Nursery and Bush on 21 September.
After a walk through from the carpark, following signs and looking at fruit and vegetable gardens and the wormfarm, the group, accompanied by teachers Terry and Elaine and Scott from KiwiCan made their way into the Education Centre. A bit of learning about potential hazards like ponds and traps and the children were divided into two groups. Chris led one group around the ponds and bush – matching leaves and learning about maori traditional uses for plants as well as finding birds in the bush. Ray led the other group – sowing native seeds and potting up plants. After swapping over activities the students came back to the Education Centre and reported back on their activities and then did a rousing haka for the Community Nursery volunteers – Chris, Ray, Linda, Sarah, Amy, and Edith. Seldom have we had a group of such enthusiastic and very well behaved children who are a credit to their school and were a joy to show around.
Chris
Posted: 27 September 2017
We have one place left for the Jo Ogier Art Workshop. Jo is a well know New Zealand Artist and the Community Nursery is sponsoring this weekend workshop to bring Jo down from Christchurch. The workshop is just $100 for two days. Further details are at http://www.southlandcommunitynursery.org.nz/education-centre/activities/workshops/
And if you would like to go onto a list for this or future workshops email Chris at [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]
Posted: 27 September 2017
The bus pulled in and it was exciting for the tamariki to be coming to visit the NZ jungle. We wandered through the orchard, past the vege gardens and stopped to check out the worms in the worm bath, the signs eventually taking us to the education centre. Exploration of the education centre, some kai and a story energised us for a sensory treasure hunt walk around the pond track, where we saw just how sticky the kohuhu seeds can be, felt how prickly totara leaves are, smelt the citrus aroma of tarata (lemonwood), listened to the birds and the rustling of the cabbage tree leaves, and saw evidence of small insects that live in the NZ bush on harakeke (flax) and in mingimingi. It was great to see the wonder as we touched the different plants - rimu, makomako (wineberry), kapuka (broadleaf), flax, ti kouka (cabbage tree) etc. Back in the education centre it was puzzle time and exploration of what was behind the doors in the tunnel. We found some “good for our native bush” things and some that are not so good (pests etc). We finished off learning the words and actions to the “kiwi bird” song. A great visit. Bronwyn
Posted: 25 September 2017
The Southland Community Nursery has been involved with helping and supporting rooms 11 and 12 of Otatara School (year 3) as they have learnt about and planted out the newly developed Scooter Park area. Chris and Bronwyn started out at the Otatara School (year 3) as they have learnt about and planted out the newly developed Scooter Park area. Chris and Bronwyn started out at the beginning of June 2017 walking the site coming up with suggestions and ways to engage the students in this project. Bronwyn then joined the classes for inquiry time and on a field trip to Queens Park and the ICC Parks and Recreation team learning about what plants to plant and where, developing a plan for the different areas of the Scooter Park, getting rid of unwanted plant pest species, estimating how many plants needed and learning how to plant a native. Plant lists and the enthusiastic plans of the students were checked and rechecked, and then 4 September planting started. Some year 6 students helped with the digging of holes, with a full day seeing all holes dugs and most of the plants planted (the rest were finished off the following week). The area looks fantastic and the year 3 students did a fantastic job. We look forward to seeing how these plants grow! Bronwyn
Posted: 25 September 2017
The Community Nursery will be open on the morning of Friday 22 September and all subsequent Friday mornings for volunteer nursery work. After the winter shut down there is plenty to do - firstly a good tidy up of the nursery and education centre and then we will get into full production - some seeds already poking through!
As usual its not all work! Bring along some kai for morning tea and renew friendships and make new ones! See you there - Chris
Posted: 20 September 2017
