WHAT IS AN ENVIRO SCHOOL? Enviroschools integrate environmental education into the whole of school life, with the aim of creating a sustainable environment. Students are involved in taking action through experiences. Read more about the aims and goals of environmental education here. HOW DID WE BEGIN? In 2003 a group of parents got together to work on and maintain different areas of the school gardens. Not long after, children began expressing an interest and wanting to help out. Entering the Manfield Garden Festival intensified the children's interest and enthusiasm for gardening. We have continued to enter each year from 2003 and have been successful in winning awards for our efforts. We had no idea then how successful the Manchester Street School Children's gardening group was to become. WHO IS INVOLVED? The Enviro Kids are the students responsible for maintaining, promoting and developing good environmental practices and school projects. They work hard to raise awareness around important environmental issues. Our Green Team students lead activities in our school nursery at lunchtimes.We are also very lucky to have a committed team of adult Nursery Volunteers who also work in our nursery, and our enthusiastic Enviro Team group of teachers who plan and support environmental activities. WHAT DO WE DO? Some of the on-going environmental activities, projects and practices at our school are: Click here to see what we are doing at the moment! Reducing waste by recycling paper and cardboard, plastic, ink cartridges, aluminium cans and all food waste Encouraging litterless lunches Re-using useful waste items Composting green waste Promoting energy and water saving Keeping our school grounds clean, healthy and attractive Tree plantings Class gardens Class trees Learning life-long gardening skills Plant propagation Worm farms Compost making Raising plants for the‘Trees for Survival’community project Planting vegetable gardens Planting fruit trees. SPECIAL ENVIRONMENTAL DAYS AND EVENTS We celebrate: World Environment Day Conservation Week Arbour Day Keep New Zealand Beautiful Clean Up Week Manfield Garden Festival Other events: Annual Plant Sale ENVIRO-ACTION Days We are developing a native wilderness/Weta breeding area, and we are proud to be working in partnership with the Manawatu District Council to develop and beautify the local Makino Stream Walkway Area which we have renamed “Uenuku Walkway”, “Uenuku” being the Maori word for rainbow, as represented in our School Logo. Once a term, the whole school works together on a day of environmental activities and projects. Families and local community members are encouraged to be involved. HOW CAN YOU HELP? Donate cuttings, bulbs and seedlings, etc. Provide manpower for our projects Share your own knowledge and expertise Support our efforts to reduce waste Come along on Enviro–Action days Do repairs and odd jobs Purchase plants at our plant sales and spread the word amongst your friends and relatives. If you would like to become involved, or would like further information, please email the office.