Roots & Shoots Christchurch Primary Gathering

Dr. Jane  visited Banks Avenue school to hear about environmental learning within their community. We celebrated with a Mihi Whakatau, singing beautiful waiata and showing the HEART that makes Banks Ave such a special place to be. Dr Goodall in turn greeted those gathered with her unique chimpanzee call to “let us know Jane is here”.

Student groups from South New Brighton, Waitakiri, Beckenham and St James schools joined Banks Avenue students to share how the actions of children can make a difference in the world. The Banks Ave Red Zone Action Project Team shared their Adventure Ave journey and their gratitude for the opportunity to make positive change.

Dr Goodall described the presentations as “absolutely wonderful” and encouraged everyone to “take your passion and follow your dreams”. She spent the morning interacting with the children and adults and shared wise words about the importance of knowing and believing that we can make the world a better place. She reinforced that through connecting as schools both within New Zealand and across the world, that we become part of a global movement together. We finished with a ‘Seeds of Love’ workshop where we made heart shaped flower discs planted in terracotta pots.

Our final farewell came with the traditional ending for all of Dr Goodall’s meetings throughout Tanzania, as we all raised our fists in unison and proclaimed “Together we can, together we will!”

A proad ‘Roots’n’Shoots’ school, being nutured in learning and actions with Sian Carvell, learning to look beyond Dallington and out towards the world. This was a day to remember!