Enviroschools

Enviroschools is an EfS programme funded in Otago by The Enviroschools Foundation, the Dunedin City Council, Queenstown Lakes District Council and the University of Otago College of Education.

What is Enviroschools 

Enviroschools is a national programme that involves students taking action to create healthier, more peaceful and sustainable communities. Through a whole school approach, students plan, design and create sustainable projects that benefit the school and wider community. Having more sustainable schools through the Enviroschools programme also meets the City's long-term outcomes.

In Otago, there are now 39 Enviroschools, 29 in Dunedin City, including five high schools, six in QLDC, 3 in Clutha District Council and one in Waitaki District Council. Over 600 schools nation-wide are Enviroschools, that’s almost one quarter of our schools. Enviroschools is funded by councils as it helps to deliver outcomes that are relevant to their goals and objectives. Nine regional councils, 16 city councils and 57 district councils support the programme, that’s 54% of N.Z councils.

At the end of 2008, three Otago schools (all in Dunedin) achieved Bronze Awards – Waitati, Macandrew Bay and Portobello Primary Schools, and three achieved Silver Awards – Kaikorai and Hawea Flat Primary Schools and Otago Girls High School. Otago Girls and Lincoln High School in Canterbury are the first two high schools to achieve silver in the South Island, both in 2008. There are now 16 Bronze and 8 Silver schools in Otago.

Programme

The programme is integrated into the curriculum and gives a real context for learning. Themes include:

  • Me and my environment
  • Zero waste
  • Living landscapes
  • Energy!
  • Water of Life
  • Ecological building

It is holistic and involves schools looking at improving sustainability in four key areas :

  • Operational practices
  • Organisational management
  • Curriculum
  • Physical surrounding

What happens when our school joins? 

Schools joining the programme sign an Agreement that outlines the partnerships and commitments involved. On signing the Agreement, schools receive:

  • A trained Enviroschools facilitator to work with them
  • Comprehensive Enviroschools resource kit and handbook
  • Mentoring and support through Enviroschools networks
  • An annual scrapbook highlighting Enviroschools work from around the country
  • Support to evaluate the effectiveness of the programme and develop it further
  • An invitation to our local hui and workshops, as well as the national hui
  • The opportunity to participate in the Enviroschool Awards

The Enviroschools programme also provides the opportunity for adults in a community to take part in the Sustainable Living programme. This participatory course teaches adults about the issues and actions they can take, so they can support and understand the actions the students are undertaking and adopt more sustainable practices in their lives.

Last reviewed: 23 Jan 2009 11:00am

Side image - Kids painting kerbside.

Dunedin City Council