On Wednesday 29th November, the whole school travelled to New Plymouth and visited Big Jims Garden Centre (part of their sponsorship) and the Junction. 

At the Junction our tamariki learnt how waste is sorted, recycled and disposed of. They were abel to compare what happens as our kura to what they do. Our tamariki were surprised by the volume that goes through every day.

At Big Jims we saw how they companion plant, harvest and properagte plants. Our tamariki loved the fresh veges and were able to try celery (with peanut butter - yum!), fresh peas, parsley, lemons and limes.

We were fortunate to receive a grant from Stratford District Council to minimise waste. We received a grant for just under $9K and then an additional $1500 from Living Landscapes Mitre 10. With the minimisation money we bought a composting system through Carbon Cycle and the Mitre 10 money we purchased the timber, plants and equipment to turn our disestablished swimming pool into a community garden. Our tamariki worked with Peter and Richard to build the compost bins. Alan, Barb, Aimee and Peter (parents) helped the tamariki to build the garden beds. Once the garden beds were assembled our tamariki planted out the plants. 

Sadly we did have some damage to our gardens and someone pulled out our plants. But our community was so generous and gifted replacement plants. Big Jims Garden Centre gave us $300 to replace our plants and we are beginning to see some nearly ready to harvest.

In Term 4 on the 16th November, we had our haangi, lots of people came to the haangi. My dad helped with bringing the pellets to heat up the rocks. When Matua Hemi, P, Alan, Charlie and Leigh’s Uncle lit the fire the teachers, principal and all the tamariki were watching. Matua Hemi said a karakia and we learnt the Māori word for rock - toka, shovel - ko, and our Hapū name Ahitahi means ‘One Fire’. There was always a fire burning in Whakaahurangi so that all iwis in Taranaki were able to have fire. You could see all the fires burning from the other iwis surrounding Tahitahi. 

I liked the stuffing, the kumara was sweet, the potatoes and meat were so deliciously salty. The pudding was so smooth and very sweet. I liked the sponge. 

After we had eaten we played on the playground and on the bikes. We wrote thank you letters to everyone who helped.

Onyx and Kable.