Recently, tamariki from Portland Kindergarten spent the morning at a whānau farm, getting up close with animals.
Recently, tamariki from Portland Kindergarten spent the morning at a whānau farm, getting up close with animals, learning where food comes from and experiencing farm life first-hand.
Read more about their adventure, and how the visit brought learning to life through connection with nature, whānau and community.
We had an incredible morning connecting with nature and community at one of our beloved whānau farms. A massive thank you to our whānau for opening their gates and welcoming our tamariki with such warmth and enthusiasm.
From the moment we stepped off the bus, the excitement was contagious. There’s something special about the ritual of pulling on gumboots - it signals that adventure is about to begin! Our tamariki were thrilled to meet the farm residents, from a three-day old lamb and playful calves, to the farm dogs. We also had the chance to learn about the process of milking cows, even putting our fingers in the suction cups, which sparked many giggles. Korero shared during the morning lead to “aha” moments about where our food comes from.
Of course, no farm visit is complete without the machinery! The tractors, the side-by-side vehicles, and especially the climbing on the soft silage bales (which the tamariki delightfully called "giant marshmallows") created laughter and joy.
This excursion was more than just fun; it was a powerful way to bring our curriculum to life. Through these real-world experiences, our tamariki are:
This visit directly supported our Belonging (Mana Whenua) and Contribution (Mana Tangata) strands. By celebrating these unique links within our kindergarten whānau, we help our tamariki see themselves as active, connected citizens in their local community. Seeing the tamariki engage so confidently with the farmers and the environment was a beautiful reminder of the power of community-based learning.
Thank you again to our farm whānau for sharing your space and knowledge. Days like these create memories that last a lifetime and foundations that support our tamariki’s learning journey.
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