Students go wild at bush school
Kids at the country’s first ‘‘bush school’’ are now busy exploring shrubs and catching prey.
The Deep Green Bush School, based in Clevedon, has eight students enrolled aged four to 14.
It opened for the first time this year. The nature-immersion school is the first of its kind to be registered with the Ministry of Education.
It is currently running from a temporary location until resource consent goes through for its 25 acre site near the Hunua Ranges Regional Park.
Co-founder and teacher Joey Moncarz says being ‘‘gadget free’’, apart from a few computers for study, is one of the few rules.
He hopes the school will soon be able to accommodate up to 50 primary and college-aged students as they learn how to live off the land. Woodworking, planting, flax weaving, hunting, preparing food and a variety of other nature activities are all part of the curriculum. There are no set classes, no tests and no homework at the school. The students are free to roam and explore on their own, Moncarz says.
Moncarz is able to assist students with any academic work ‘‘but only at the request of students, not parents’’. The core purpose of the school is helping students ‘‘connect with the natural world’’ and learning through observation by spending time in nature.
This ‘‘rewilding’’ approach to education is ‘‘recognising that humans are, at their core, gatherers and hunters’’, Moncarz says.
‘‘Rewilding means more than just spending time in nature. It means forming a deep connection with the natural world and it means seeing the natural world as an extension of ourselves.’’
Hamish Flemming,14, says he enjoys the ‘‘freedom’’ of the bush school compared to other schools. Hunting, cooking and making tools are some favourite activities, he says.
‘‘You pretty much do what you want and you can make mistakes ... it’s more of a risky learning environment.’’
Heather Rowan,13, says she is getting to ‘‘know people more’’ at the bush school. The classroom environment of her old school was ‘‘boring’’ and made her ‘‘tired’’, she says.
‘‘Here, I’m ready for the day and you never know what’s going to happen so it’s a surprise.’’
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