Te Miro primary plants new classroom

“Awesome.’’

That was all 5-year-old Sophia Wilkins had to say when asked what she thought of the newly-planted outside classroom at Te Miro primary school.

The classroom, which comprises 80 willow saplings planted and intertwined into an igloo shape, can accommodate a class of about 20 students and is situated next to the school playground.

Acting deputy principal Martyn Wilkins said the classroom would teach students the importance of their environment, while also helping them concentrate on their class work.

‘‘The willow classroom is important to utilise the beautiful surroundings and take learning outdoors. It also makes children aware of looking after our environment and making the most of our playground.’’

Mr Wilkins first created an outside classroom while teaching in England four years ago, and was surprised they weren’t a common feature in New Zealand schools.

Local nursery owner Ian Wallace was happy to donate the saplings to the school.

The willow classroom is just part of a string of environmental projects adopted by Te Miro School and helping it maintain its GreenGold school status as part of the Enviroschools programme.

Stephanie Goonan, 8, said she really enjoyed working on the classroom – her favourite part had been attaching the green tags that help link the trees together. ‘

‘It is really cool because I’ve never worked in an outside classroom before.’’

Other green projects in the school include gardening, composting, and last year’s theme was water conservation.

Mr Wilkins hopes to send a class-written report about the building of the willow classroom, from planning to completion, to the publishers of school journals.

‘‘It would be amazing for the children to be able to see their work in the journals they read.’’

As long as the trees are pruned and maintained correctly, the classroom is expected to last many years.