Starting our fifth year of service in our bush school by sharing our work with pastoral care teachers from across the country.
Forest schools as a support for our students recognizes that nature is a powerful therapeutic tool.
Combined with child-led play, a coach approach, trauma informed care, inclusive priorities and passionate educators, forest school delivers wellbeing and learning results. Our collected data showed significant reductions in extreme behaviour incidents, self harm incidents, increased self confidence, and new skills in emotional regulation, communication and self care.
Play and nature-based learning doesn't just stop at the high school transition. I enjoyed sharing case studies of 9 teenagers we have supported that demonstrate the power of a kaupapa that meets our kids where they are at.
We see the effects, but the more we can share it, the closer we might get to better access and funding for our most at-risk tamariki.
Fabulous conference hosted by the newly formed Pastoral Care educators collective and based at Cashmere High in Christchurch
