Fensham Reserve

As part of our focus on learning about the natural world, our local environment, teaching for a sustainable future and our commitment to building a lasting relationship with local Iwi, in 2013 a connection with the Mangatarere Stream was born. 

We visited once a week with a different group of 4 children each time. These visits allowed the tamariki to develop a sense of manaaki (care/respect) and the Mangatarere Stream has become a place of turangawaewae (belonging) and the tamariki identify as kaitiaki (guardians) of this whenua.

We now visit Fensham Reserve due to the changes made to the Mangatarere Stream landscape from winter storms and erosion, which have made it unsafe for children. 

During our visits the tamariki are encouraged to be mindful and unhurried so that they can fully engage, investigate, question and research whilst nurturing a love for the complexities of the environment we live in and are nourished by. Learning dispositions such as; curiosity, playfulness, resilience, respect, and a genuine responsibility for the environment and the living things within it are promoted. This is achieved by the tamariki using all their senses to engage with the flora, fauna, wildlife, ecosystems, and habitats at Fensham Reserve as they develop and investigate working theories about the natural world. Tamariki also learn the importance of this natural environment from a Te Āo Māori perspective using tikanga, deepening working knowledge of the ngahere and native trees and birds.