Purpose
In 2023, Pokuru School were successful in their application to the Waikato Environmental Education Fund regarding their Pokuru Bush School. Quoting from a September 2023 article titled Bush school experiences build self-determination and empowerment:
Pokuru School have found their Bush School programme to have a multitude of positive outcomes for students, including knowledge acquisition, learning and application of new skills, students commenting on enjoyment of the programme and benefits to wellbeing, and in some cases behaviour or academic improvements upon returning to the classroom. It has also had positive outcomes for the wider community, such as growing relationships with whānau and external organisations, and participating in mahi that benefits the broader environment and local ecology.
Overview
An excerpt from Bush school experiences build self-determination and empowerment:
This year, Pokuru School in Waikato has begun a Bush School programme where middle and senior students experience hands-on and creative nature play, learn bush and survival skills, as well as tikanga around interacting with nature. Led by Mr Wilkinson, students attend 1 day/week for a term, with the first half of the term focusing on learning skills, and the second half involving identifying and undertaking a sustainability project. The bush school experience culminates with an overnight camp at the end of the term.
Report
- Pokuru Bush School Report for 29 November 2023 (PDF, 2.76 MB)