Ngaruru Envirogroup

History   

Since 2003, when Bayswater School became an Enviroschool, there has always been a dedicated enviro-group. Their unique perspectives are valued for the knowledge and insight they bring. The enviro-groups have played an active role in the Enviroschool award processes at Bayswater School. In 2007, when Bayswater School achieved their Silver Enviroschool award, the group at the time, with the support of a facilitator from Nau Mai ki Enviroschools, led the collection of student voices, which was collated and became the Bayswater’s School Çare Code. The Year 6 class of that year, created the beautiful artwork around the statements, which has remained a feature in the foyer ever since. Ten years on the enviro-group of 2017, along with their peers, the staff, whānau, board of trustees and connected community members participated in a reflection process to reconfirm our school’s Green Gold status. Over the years the enviro-group has led tours within the school to show our journey and sustainability practices. The tours have included overseas teachers, visiting Enviroschools, Enviroschool facilitators, and fellow pupils. One of the guiding principles behind being a Green-Gold Enviroschool is the involvement in learning about sustainability. The enviro-group strives to maintain the initiatives that have been put in place as a result of the whole school learning focus.    

Measuring Change and Taking Action   

The enviro-group has a strong connection to the environment and sustainability is part of their decisions and everything they do. During the process of progressing from Bronze, to Silver and onto becoming a Green Gold Enviroschool, the enviro-group has been instrumental in implementing some of the imbedded initiatives including: Energy efficient practices in the classrooms, Rubbish free lunch boxes, Reusing paper good on one side (GOOS paper), and Worm farms. This ongoing monitoring and encouragement to raise awareness of the impact on the environment, is credited to the sharing of knowledge and encouragement of Enviro-groups over the years. Enviro-groups have participated in waste and energy audits, have recognised the impact on the school environment and have taken action to implement change. An example of this growth is the change from an early initiative ‘Rubbish Free Wednesday’s’ to being rubbish free every day of the school week. On a weekly basis members of the team monitor classes’ energy use and rubbish free lunch boxes, the results of which are reported at Friday morning assemblies.  

Leadership Awards    

At the prize giving ceremony a senior member of the enviro-group is awarded the Education for Sustainability Cup for sustained and outstanding commitment to supporting Bayswater’s enviroschool kaupapa. The Education for Sustainability badge is also awarded and placed on the Sir Peter Blake memorial board, naming students who have participated in a special project or made a commitment to our environmental practices. 

Present and Future

The Bayswater School enviro-group continues to support Bayswater School as an Enviroschool, its sustainable practices now and into the future. Although there have been changes with community connections over time, the Bayswater enviro-group has maintained its dedication to follow the Enviroschool’s kaupapa.