Wellbeing Garden

With the end of term fast approaching, we have been working hard to finish our Wellbeing garden. Originally designed by Mrs Moore at the end of 2019, it was taken over by Mrs Webby to plan a garden that could be used by all tamariki at Maungaraki School. 

We were lucky to be chosen as one of the first schools in the country to take part in the 'Creatives in Schools' initiative, where the students and teachers work alongside an artist to learn about and take part in creating amazing art. Rodrigo has done an amazing job in working with the students to showcase their drawings and designs about what makes them happy to be at school. He then designed a mural that would bring these drawings together, grouped them with others in their class.

Working with different students, Rodrigo and the children painted the mural, finishing the majority of it before the school was closed due to lockdown. Once we were back, the main mural was finished, with the second side showcasing the four new syndicates alongside our new school logo.

The art group with Mrs Webby worked to create reverse cast mosaic stepping stones, and room 9 students helped to place these. Mrs Webby worked with Tim to paint the pouwhenua and the seating, and the pouwhenua have been finished by Rodrigo with stylised designs from the children’s drawings.

Our amazing Caretaker Tim has really tied the whole section together. He has been hard at work building planter boxes and seating that will allow the children to sit with their friends during break time. A lot of effort has been put into choosing plants that will not only withstand the Maungaraki weather, but are also sensory plants that smell nice and are pleasing to the touch. We have laid grass seed in the area, and hopefully after the term break, the area will be ready for use.