OTATARA SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

What we got up to to celebrate Conservation Week - Te Wiki o Te Taiao 2025.

Conservation Week has been celebrated school wide with activities filling the week that highlighted the need for everyone to be kaitiaki and to show kaitiakitaka for our place. A colouring competition and name and design the sign for an outdoor learning space tapped into the creativity of our students, fun facts sparked discussion and questioning, an insect mansion started to be built and every classroom plant was planted during the week celebrating our classes, our school and our neighbouring reserve.

The year 5/6 classes braved the windy weather and started the week of planting with Room 9 Tī kōuka planting their tree (cabbage tree) and room 8's horoeka (lancewood), both of which will add some height and interesting forms to our place. Mānuka (room 6) were planted in our "inviting insects" corner and Kapuka (room 7) planted their shiny green leafed plant.

Mataī (room 3) planted both their classroom tree and the miro (room 2) - two towering giants that will grow big and tall. Kahikatea (room 11) planted the tallest tree in the native NZ forest, and Pōkākā (room 13) planted their tree nearby as they both like having wet feet. The Pōkākā class also planted some kōwhai (room 1).

Kōtukutuku (room 12) got the best of the weather planting their paper bark tree in the sunshine. They look forward to seeing the blue coloured pollen from the green and pink flowers.Tarata (room 14) planted both tarata and horopito (room 10), one of which is peppery to taste while the other has a lemony scent.

Tōtara (room 3) can't wait to have their tree fruiting and the birds spreading the seeds around the forest and area. Ponga (room 5) planted some ground cover ferns, and there are plans for tree ferns to be planted.

The insect mansion has its first two floors, with sticks, bricks, leaves and bark being used to create habitat for bugs of all sorts! We look forward to adding to this.

It was great to hear the knowledge that ākonga have about their class tree and the taonga (treasures) in the bush reserve - these connections are important for us to show kaitiakitaka of our special places.