To enhance children's learning opportunities by connecting hands-on with nature, appreciating the benefits of nature and developing a sense of kaitiakitanga, the guardianship and conservation of our environment.
- Our school believes in growing a community of life-long learners within a nature-based learning environment.
- We encourage children to value opportunities for quality time outdoors experiencing the wonder of nature.
- Exploring and interacting with nature provides the hands-on context to develop our children's curiosity, creativity, problem-solving skills, resilience, social interactions and communication skills.
Quality time outdoors and in nature has a calming effect and at the same time invigorates, teaches and helps children to develop connections with other people and the natural environment.
Our nature based philosophy approach encourages children to enjoy and interact with nature; to learn in nature, about nature and from nature.
- Purposeful creative outdoor play.
- The opportunity for some classroom lessons, for instance, reading, writing, mathematics to take place outdoors.
- Experiencing and learning about nature first hand through regular visits to the nearby beach, wetlands, bush, and river.
Preparing students for the future.
Improved Educational Outcomes:
- Better academic performance.
- Enhanced focus and attention.
- Increased enthusiasm and engagement with learning.
- Improved behaviour.
Research References
Nature Improves Education Outcomes
Improved health and well-being:
- Increased physical activity.
- Improved relationship skills.
- Reduced stress, anger and aggression.
- Increased vitamin D levels.
