Literacy
We believe that providing relevant opportunities for children and young people to get involved is core to the long term success of the wetland and riparian restoration work on and around Ruamāhanga Farm.
To that end we are committed to working with primary and secondary schools, particularly those local to us and supporting them to develop curious and reflective learners, with an appreciation for the natural world and the confidence to feel they can make a difference.
A field trip to Ruamāhanga Farm is usually followed up with creative literacy sessions back at school. Literacy is combined with a range of arts and communication activities and has been showcased in public settings in both the Wairarapa and London. This aspect of our work lays a useful foundation for follow up structured literacy sessions by classroom teachers.
The Journey of a Sunflower
Written after field trips Ruamāhanga Farm to pick and learn about Sunflowers February 2024 Kahutara School - Years 3 & 4 I was in the deep dark soil and I felt calm still and happy - Harley Rose I tried as hard as I could and then I burst open and saw the big blue...
Voices of the Ruamāhanga – Free Fall Writing
Martinborough School Year 6 and 7 As a tiny droplet of water … Jamie - I began falling from the sky as rain with all my brothers and sisters, we were all small and innocent and when I fell to the ground I felt my siblings all coming together making a large beautiful...
Paetūmokai Haiku
Haiku Session – Te Kura o Te Paetūmokai JonahTotara growingClimbing leaves, blowing rustlingIn the gusty windRuamāhangaShimmering in the bright sunRippling and riffling AniwaSoft, wet, muddy, groundStrong and luscious mataiHelping trees to grow HunterMatai...
Tamariki Writing: As I sat still and silent
Children from Te Kura O te Paetūmokai ( Featherston School) were supported by Rod Sugden and Jane Riddiford from Ruamāhanga Mauri Oho to reflect on their experiences of planting an understory beneath the forest giants at Waihinga bush. The children discussed the...