“We had SO much fun doing this kit. Our kids decided to visit a local childcare centre and plan activities to do with the tamariki. They did so much contextual learning such as persuasive writing, letter writing, key competencies and soft skills. Two of our groups managed to get sponsorship from The Warehouse and a local Sushi shop to provide things they needed. Our kids did all of the project from writing the information notice to go home to parents, permission slips, SAP forms and we had great daily huis where each group would share where they were up to and other groups could ask questions to clarify their understanding. It has been a great end of year project for us so we can focus on our school value of Kindness. Would do this SVA kit again in a heartbeat. Thanks team for making an amazing, student led resource.”
“Great resource. Students were super engaged and enjoyed giving back to the community. Students researched the needs in our community and found a need that they thought was interesting before contacting all the necessary stakeholders to put their service into action. Great to see students thinking critically about the world around them and how they can make a difference in other's lives.”
“Our Year 2 student were totally involved in looking at how they could support the community and look after our local Taonga. Living in Kohimarama, the beach was an easy pick for them, and something that they wanted to look after and make better for all.
After looking at their own skill sets they were able to select a job suited to them. They thoroughly enjoyed our beach clean up and have been very engrossed in looking at ways to keep our beach and oceans clean. The kit has sparked innovation, imagination and problem solving, as they have looked at the way that 1 person and 1 classroom can make change for the better.
They have been inspired to learn more about the science behind pollution. There have been a number of writing opportunities too - making posters, thank you cards, writing persuasion pieces, reports and letter to ask local business if we can place posters in their window to encourage picking up rubbish after yourself.
As a teacher I have enjoyed going on this journey with my students.”
“Our Year 3 and 4 students love to sing and this year they decided to sing at our two local rest homes. They planned their singing practises, chose the songs, organised days and times with the rest homes and our guitarist. The elderly residents loved our visit. We may look at developing this further with more visits next year and include some reading or art and craft activities. The kit inspired us to look at all of the other projects around the country. We had so many suggestions made by the students it was tricky to choose only one.”
“Amazing resource, really ensures that the children are the leaders of the community work. The form where children fill out their skills and apply for their roles is a well thought out resource, really got the children thinking about their strengths. Would definitely use again, and recommend this resource for any teacher who is wanting to have their class do community work.”
“Our class of Year 6/7/8s thoroughly enjoyed the SVA kit and even though I had to make the final decision on what they could do with the time available they were all on board with the local beach clean up idea. It was wonderful seeing them taking charge of checking the tides, booking buses, phoning Fresh Choice for BBQ food, cooking, writing letters to volunteers (the rest of the school) and being leaders on the day. They couldn't believe they all got to have an official badge of their own to wear. A wonderful experience with the students being allowed to use the BBQ a highlight and lots of rubbish picked up too. Thank you school kit.”
“We used our kit in a different way. We looked at the amount of rubbish a school produces in their lunchboxes. We had plastic free monitors who ran a plastic free day for lunches and they were the awarders of tokens. Very much worth the kit. Thank you school Kit it is an awesome kit.”
“This was an excellent kit which we linked into our Inquiry topic on Taonga. Our students came up with the idea, planned it and carried it out successfully! They loved the survey, the badges, the flags and especially the role badges at the end of it. We all enjoyed giving back to our community and making a positive difference. Our students were so surprised at how much micro plastic was actually in the sand!”
