Enviroschools' workshop for caretakers

More than 20 school caretakers from around Northland are to gather in Whangarei next week for a special Enviroschools Northland workshop.

The Northland Regional Council played a key role in bringing Enviroschools north in 2003 and there are now more than 60 local schools in the popular programme.

Enviroschools hosted its first workshop aimed specifically at school caretakers in Kaitaia last year with 13 locals attending.

Susan Karels, the regional council’s Enviroschools Regional Co-ordinator, says based on the success of that event, a second caretakers’ workshop will be held on Tuesday, 14 August at Whangarei’s Onerahi School.

Mrs Karels says the free 9am-3pm workshop will investigate ways caretakers can support their school’s Enviroschools’ journey, explore a range of sustainable practices and share problems and solutions to school property management.

“We’ll also look at some of the ways school caretakers can involve students in their work where appropriate.”

Mrs Karels says to date about 20 caretakers from as far afield as Bream Bay and Taipa are expected to take part in the workshop, which will be opened by regional council Chairman Craig Brown.

Guest speakers will include Whangarei-based regional council pest plant expert Sara Brill, Pete Wood, the caretaker at Kerikeri’s Riverview School, Whangarei-based CBEC EcoSolutions educator Anna Murphy and Buck Cullen of Poriti-based Waimarie Nurseries.

“Topics expected to be covered include discussing plants and their uses, pest plant identification, exploring proven waste management systems, and investigating a diverse range of sustainable practices,” Mrs Karels says.

“The workshop also aims to recognise the value of caretakers, the role they play and encourage them to incorporate some of the ideas children attending those schools may have to enhance their school environment.”

Mrs Karels says information about the Enviroschools programme is available via the regional council’s website www.nrc.govt.nz/enviroschools