Welcome to guiding principles

Empowered Students

Empowering students means enabling them to participate in a genuine way, from their own unique and creative perspective. Including young people in decision-making and action empowers them to be active environmental citizens for life and enriches the development of the whole school environment.

Sustainable Communities

Sustainable communities act in ways that nurture people and now and in the future.

Learning for Sustainability

The principle of Learning for Sustainability recognises the types of teaching and learning that build students’ capacity to create sustainable outcomes. It is an action-focused approach to learning that engages us in the physical, social, cultural and political aspects of our local and global environment.

Māori Perspectives

The principle of Māori Perspectives honours the status of tangata whenua in this land and the value of indigenous knowledge in enriching and guiding learning and action. Māori perspectives and knowledge of the environment offer insights unique to the culture with the longest history of human interaction with this country.

Respect for the Diversity of People and Cultures 

Respect for the diversity of people and cultures is integral to achieving a sustainable environment in New Zealand – one that is peaceful and co-operative and makes the most of our rich cultural traditions. The principle of Respect for the Diversity of People and Cultures acknowledges the unique gifts, contributions and perspectives of individuals and groups. This underpins the ethic of participatory decision-making in Enviroschools.