Kiwi kids to teach Aussie kids
Tauwhare School has been chosen to present a seminar at the Melbourne Water Kids Teaching Kids Conference in October.
Eight students and two teachers will be representing the work carried out by all students in their learning on their sustainability water theme.
They will be the only New Zealand students there, the rest will be Australian.
Six years ago Tauwhare School attended the conference in Adelaide but could only take four students.
This year they can take eight and have been given a 45-minute time slot for their presentation.
They were hoping to start with a mihi and waiata before beginning their four interactive activities.
Over the last few years, the students have been riparian planting on a farm that runs along the Waitakaruru Stream.
Principal Fiona Bradley said the children were beginning to see the positive impact their work has on the environment.
‘‘They have been testing the water down there, and some of the first lot of trees have grown enough now to start making an impact, so the students can test the water there and then test it again in other places along the stream to see the positive effects the planting has had,’’ she said.
Teacher in charge Linda Cook said the students have been learning about the fish and invertebrates that live in the stream, as well as the cultural history of it.
‘‘Tauwhare used to be known as a resting place, so troops would come and bathe here before continuing up to the parliament buildings in Walton,’’ she said.
‘‘One of the students’ grandmas used to swim in this stream because their school didn’t have a pool, but you can’t do that now because of the quality of the water.’’
The children were hoping to bring that quality back.
‘‘We’re also looking at the community involvement, and how the community has impacted the stream,’’ said Cook.
Bradley said all students were working hard to come up with a plan for the presentation.
‘‘By giving students the opportunity to present a workshop to others during Kids Teaching Kids Week, students see that they can have a positive impact on the world, starting in their own communities.’’
‘‘We connect and challenge students with real world issues.’’