Early childhood centre earns green award
‘‘It's included writing letters to ask about plastic packaging, raising money for a local community garden and contributing to their centre's new environmental care code.’’
Aroha Montessori children and families celebrated an important milestone in their sustainability efforts when they were presented with their Enviroschools bronze certificate on September 15.
Karen Hudson, owner of the Trentham early childhood centre, has always been passionate about the environment and was keen to join the Upper Hutt City Councilsupported Enviroschools programme.
‘‘We had already set up a worm farm and compost, developed spaces for gardening and set up opportunities for children and their families to reduce waste and recycle,’’ Hudson said.
Along with these efforts, the centre worked hard to make sure items it needed to purchase used minimal packaging, were sustainably sourced and not harmful to the planet.
Aroha Montessori’s teachers share this passion.
Anya Ferns has led the process to get the centre ready to the bronze stage and is very proud of what they have achieved.
‘‘We are all committed to this long-term journey and can see how it is supporting our children with their natural curiosity about our earth and how to take care of it and each other.
‘‘It is a holistic process that is being enriched by our growing understanding about Te Ao Ma¯ori.’’
‘‘This has seen the children engage in ways they can take action.
‘‘It’s included writing letters to ask about plastic packaging, raising money for a local community garden and contributing to their centre’s new environmental care code,’’ Ferns said.
Aroha Montessori is one of a cluster of early childhood centres that became Enviroschools last year with the support of Upper Hutt City Council, Enviroschools Facilitator Michelle Ducat said.
The Aroha Montessori, in Messines Ave, joins Trentham’s Cottle Kindergarten in earning the Enviroschools bronze while the Heretaunga Kindergarten has worked its way to silver status, Ducat said.