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Salisbury School is an Enviroschool. We believe that, as stated in the Enviroschools' handbook:
"Children are our future ….. teach them and let them lead the way and in turn let them teach others
to respect, nurture and preserve our environment".
We are involved in the restoration of a local urban stream and do volunteer work for a natural
wetland enhancement project.
Curriculum based activities in the classroom and projects such as these help students to acquire
knowledge about a range of sustainability issues and how they relate to their own lives. They help
to teach them skills in planning and decision-making, cooperative working skills and, for some,
leadership experience.
The School recently won the NZ Plant
Conservation Award for its reforestation project. This started in 2004. Students back then
discovered that there wasn’t any native bush left on the Richmond/ Hope plains so they set about
creating some. They had in mind that this area would not only encourage native bird life and
insects back into urban areas but would also become an educational tool not only for themselves but
other surrounding schools. The project has continued with students planting and weeding each year.
The area is starting to fill out and we are now collecting our own seed from some species. Part of
the process has been for students to learn how to eco-source seed, plant and grow some of the
natives. In 2008 we were lucky to receive funding from the World Wildlife Foundation to continue
with the project.
Twenty students for the past two
years have been given the opportunity to attend the Arthur's Pass Outdoor Education Centre. The
purpose of the week long trip is so students can learn about the unique environmental issues of the
area in a 'hands on' setting. They also experience a different natural environment while learning
about flora, fauna and fungi while on bush walks. Students gain confidence and leadership skills
while involved in activities such as river-crossing, orienteering and sensory trail. Students
selected to be leaders are given the responsibility of helping organise gear, housekeeping and to
assist younger students. There is also an extension activity each year for a select group who may need a
bit more of a challenge and in 2009 they walked up Bealey Spur.
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