A group of senior students at Invercargill Middle School have an important task, and it’s thanks to the collaborative efforts of the school and some key community organisations. 

The school is in the process of building its own school garden, but instead of it being driven by the Board of Trustees or staff, it is being driven and developed by tamariki. 

Active Southland’s Made to Move team have been working with the school in the past few months to connect and support it with community organisations as part of the garden project. 

Middle School Principal Sarah Read said the garden project was part of a wider school initiative aimed at helping connect the children with their community, learn more about their place in the world, and develop skills that will help them lead their school going forward. 

“We are very keen to help our students connect and learn more about the community around them. Our garden initiative has been a valuable way for our tamariki to not only learn some important skills, but also to show leadership, teach other students, and drive a project that is potentially going to benefit our school for years to come,” she said. 

One of the connections has been with the Southland Community Nursery in Otatara.  

Nursery Educator Bronwyn Graham said having the opportunity to work with the students at the nursery had been a valuable experience, particularly as it would help the students learn more about their natural backyard and community around them. 

“People need to connect with their place, whether that is their home garden, local park, or school environment, and connect to nature. These connections are vitally important for our sense of community, and our physical and mental well-being and health.” 

Knowing how to grow food was also vital for future food self-sufficiency and environmental health, she said. 

Active Southland Tamariki Lead Shan Jensen-Loach said connecting schools and the community, particularly through initiatives that help develop vital life skills and values, strengthen hauora through physical activity, and foster that love of being active, were key focus areas for Active Southland. 

“We love seeing schools take that holistic approach to their students’ wellbeing and being able to support them to provide integrated creative learning through the NZ Health and PE Curriculum is exciting to be a part of.”  

Article added: Friday 17 September 2021