The Sustainable School

14/09/2026

Navigating the journey of parenting often feels like wandering through a whimsical wonderland, filled with unexpected signs and choices.

Inspired by a curious signboard at New Zealand’s Larnach Castle and an old Irish nursery rhyme, this reflective piece explores the delicate balance between going with the flow and making intentional decisions as a parent, educator, and person.

Join me as I share the lessons learned amid the twists and turns of multicultural parenthood. Perhaps there’s no right way - only our way. Read our latest TSS blog: https://www.thesustainableschool.org/post/perhaps-there-s-no-right-way

07/09/2026

How does wind generate electricity? Is wind energy sustainable? And what does 'sustainability' really mean?

When we asked some curious questions about wind at the Ōtepoti Enviroschools Year 7-10 Student Hui at Dunedin Gasworks Museum, we received some very creative answers:

"Wind energy is better because it's cleaner than oil and gas."
"...but it can also be dangerous for birds."
Someone shared that a neighbour's wind turbine has caused chaos because of the noise it's making...
Many have seen large-scale wind farms in New Zealand, Australia, Canada...even Germany.

That's the beauty of learning, as there's no absolute answer! We can say wind energy is comparatively cleaner and generates less pollution, but that doesn't mean it's perfect if we consider the broader social and ecological well-being. Nevertheless, it's fun to get hands-on by making our own wind catcher (an anemometer), and test it outdoors!

Thank you, Jennie, Megan and Leisa, for having us at the Hui. Check out more of the meaningful work they do at Ōtākou Enviroschools.

28/08/2026

A small milestone to end the week... We are humbled to be commended in the 2026 Keep Dunedin Beautiful award!

Dunedin is unlike any city I have visited or lived in, yet it always makes me feel a sense of familiarity: a smile and "good morning" from a stranger on the road, a warm hug and a caring message from a friend, and the many curious minds I had the opportunity to share sustainability knowledge and STEAM fun with over the past year through community-based workshops and events.

Thank you for the humbling recognition. It encourages us to keep doing what we do and keep on learning.

He nui ngā mihi mō tō atawhai. 🍀

22/08/2026

And that's a wrap! 🎨

Humbled to be part of Art Week 2026 organised by - Otago University Students' Association. Special thanks to Belinda and the team for the amazing organisation and beautiful installation of our artworks. 💚

Keep scrolling to discover some pieces we also admired by fellow schoolmates. Our fields of study may differ, but we share a common love of creativity. Stay curious, stay conscious, and keep creating! 🍀

13/08/2026

Photo dump ahead! 📸

We've stumbled upon an amazing showcase of youth science and engineering projects at Tūhura Otago Museum, and it was a thought-provoking learning experience.

From deep psychological questions 🧠 to practical sustainability in everyday life ♻️ to myths behind natural phenomena 🌦️, the kids' creativity and dedication behind each project are inspiring - and sometimes it just takes a spark of curiosity.

These photos capture some personal favourites, and it's definitely an interesting exhibition to check out!

03/08/2026

It's a snowy day! ❄️

Super excited to wake up and see the whole Taieri covered in white. Look who's made a snow kiwi! 🐦😜

How does snow form? When temperatures fall below 0°C, the moisture in the air turns into ice. An ice crystal begins to form, and as it grows, it attracts and freezes more water vapour around it (imagine rolling a snowball that gets bigger and bigger). Eventually, when it becomes heavy enough, it transforms into a snow crystal or pellet and drops to the ground.

We enjoyed a pleasant walk around our neighbourhood to take in the beautiful scene - before Mr Sun appears and everything begins to melt! With that said, snowy roads can be quite slippery... Wish everyone stays safe and takes care when travelling outside 💚

31/07/2026

What a fun afternoon we had with science-loving tamariki on the Taieri! 🔎🏞️

Last year, we explored the science of DNA 🧬, and this year it's all about wind 💨. A huge thanks to Taieri Network for partnering with us to deliver this culturally rich, hands-on learning experience, and to all our community friends, especially Lions Club of Mosgiel District, Dunedin Public Libraries and New Zealand International Science Festival, for supporting our initiative! 🙌

A community is made by people, and people make communities. With these little sparkles of wonder ✨, we hope to extend the impact of sustainability education and cultivate curious, creative and conscious kids. Join us on the next adventure! 🥰

https://www.thesustainableschool.org/

29/07/2026

Tomorrow is the day! 🥳

Meet us at 📍Mosgiel Library at 3:30pm, Thursday, 30 July, for some really fun hands-on experiences while learning about wind science 💨

You will learn:
🍀 How wind forms and generates energy
🍀 The advantages and disadvantages of wind energy
🍀 What an anemometer is and how to make one of your own!

If the weather is good, we'll get to take those anemometers outside to "catch" some wind.

We've got 10 whānau who have signed up - thank you, and we look forward to seeing you! 🤗

For those who are interested, it's never too late to RSVP: https://forms.gle/Kt7u7QWk8ic95CMd8

P.S. Don't forget to bring a pencil ✏️ and we'll let you know its secret use during the workshop 😉

22/07/2026

Thank you for the shout out Lions Club of Mosgiel District 💚 We look forward to welcoming you at this fun workshop all about wind 💨🍀

Ever want to catch the wind? With a simple device called an anemometer, you can! 👋💨

Join this fun workshop at Mosgiel Library next Thursday, 30 July, at 3:30pm-5pm to learn about the science of wind and wind energy, and make a wind catcher from everyday materials. ✂️📏🪡🥤 We'll then take it outside to catch some wind!

Free admission. Suitable for children aged 6-12. Parents are welcome to join. RSVP now: https://forms.gle/Fc5APT4C1DrZJxiE7.

Brought to you by passionate educators from and . We look forward to meeting you! 🤗

20/07/2026

This is our second year volunteering at the New Zealand International Science Festival, and this time it was even more special. 🚂

Supporting science activities at the first-ever Science Train was an exhilarating experience - not only because of the breathtaking scenery, but also because of the new friendships and knowledge we gained.

The Hindon stop was another favourite part of the day, where we enjoyed a lovely picnic in the great outdoors and relished some fresh, crisp air. As the saying goes, nature's the best getaway. 🥰💚

Check out our highlight video of some fun moments on the Train!

Dunedin Railway Station

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