Wool comes to Tokoroa school
Tokoroa may not be known as sheep country but students at David Henry School are now experts on wool.
The Campaign for Wool New Zealand Trust’s The Wool Shed, which is a 20 foot shipping container packed with interactive learning tools for students looking at the wide variety of products made from wool and to study its unique attributes, has spent the last few weeks at the school.
It supports learning across technology, maths, science, economics, and english. Deputy principal Naima Placid said the reaction from students and teachers alike has been nothing but positive.
‘‘It has been absolutely fascinating as we have had students go in that never knew so many things could be made from wool and they come out really excited,’’ she said.
‘‘The teachers have really enjoyed it too and I think having a hands on interactive experience for the kids has been amazing.’’
‘‘The students also watched a video on shearing sheep which they had never seen done before. They were a little concerned for the sheep but the sheep were fine,’’ she laughed.
The Wool Shed was opened in 2015 by the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, who is the patron of The Campaign for Wool New Zealand Trust.
It has been touring the North Island in partnership with PGG Wrightson and is mainly aimed at intermediate level students but all ages, including parents, have the opportunity to visit free of charge.
Campaign for Wool New Zealand Trust chair Renata Apatu said it was a great way to make younger generations aware of how versatile wool can be.
‘‘Wool is an amazing fibre and has many unique and wonderful properties that our younger generation are generally unaware of,’’ he said.
Apatu said an example of the versatility of wool can be seen in its role at the Wimbledon tennis tournament.
‘‘Wool has good crimp characteristics meaning it has more ‘‘bounce’’. Once felted and attached to a rubber ball, and after being tested for bounce, compression and weight, it can become an official Wimbledon match ball,’’ he said.
The Wool Shed is also supported by an online resource at woolinschools.nz and Placid said due to the positive feedback received the shed is likely to return to the school in the future. Burglaries There were three burglaries. A 21-year-old local male has been arrested in relation to one of these from information from the community which we appreciate.
If you see suspicious activity don’t hesitate to call us.
It can be anything from an unfamiliar vehicle in a driveway, someone loitering around, someone walking down a street carrying something strange.
If you see something that doesn’t quite look right those are the moment we need you to call us. A person may be legit but we are only too happy to check as it could mean saving someone’s precious possessions. * Senior Sergeant Jason Henderson