Our Environment

Newton Central School


Oasis in the Heart of the City

While Newton Central is in the heart of the inner city, we are proudto have one of the mostdense flora and fauna locations around.  This is largely due to the commitment of our property manager Ross Lay, and the support of both past and present community members.


Our Forest – Ngahere

Our ngahere is a designated  ‘Inner City Forest’  providing our community with a bounty of taonga.  It supports the reduction of the effects of car pollutants and regeneration of indigenous species of plant, bird and insect life.

Our forest development commenced in 1993 with a whakatuwhera (blessing) and celebration by kaumātua from both NgātiWhātua and Tainui iwi and by the local school community.

Our forest is part of our school’s everyday life, a place for learning, growing and connecting. Each child that has attended the school has planted a tree either individually, with friends, family and the wider community. New students bring a tree to plant and watch it grow as they do. It will stand as a tribute to their contribution to sustaining the earth and our future.

 


Newton Central Hut Builders (EOTC)

We show our school values by:

We only take sticks from the big pile at the top of the stairs or through trading.

I tell the truth about my hut and sticks.

Sticks are for building and trading only.

I respect my hut and others’ huts.

I follow the ‘hut treaty’ agreement.


Our Gardens 

Our school community are privileged to be submerged in a bounty of fauna and flora canopy in inner city Auckland.  Scattered throughout the school site are gardens, giant pōhutukawa, kōwhai and many other natives trees.


Our Playgrounds

Our new top playground has been opened and blessed by our school community. This playground has been long awaited. Our staff, Board, PTA and students have all had some involvement in its evolution from concept design, fundraising, ground breaking, sandpapering and planting to actually using it.

 

We show our school values when playing on our very cool, new slide by..

PonoI play by the agreed school rules

KairangiI do my best in all situations

Whakamana  – I treat others, myself and the environment with respect

Aroha – I am willing to restore and resolve problems

Key guiding rules for our slide

 
  1. 1 person at a time sliding on the inside

  2. We only slide down our slide, climbing happens on other equipment

  3. We keep off the slide roof