SEEN Learning Collective

09/09/2026

Entries are open now for SEEN Christmas Trees 2026. Could this be your category?

What does Rotorua mean to you?

The places we know.
The people who make it home.
The colours, stories, landscapes and little things that instantly feel like Rotorua.

We Are Rotorua is your chance to create a Christmas tree inspired by our place and our community.

Your tree might celebrate the ngahere, the lakes, geothermal Rotorua, local landmarks, the people around you, or something completely different that says Rotorua to you. We want to see Rotorua through your eyes.

What would you put on a tree that represents Rotorua? We’d love to see your version become part of SEEN Christmas Trees this November.

Enter your tree → www.seenlearningcollective.com

Know a school, business, whānau or community group that could create something amazing for this category? Tag them below.

06/09/2026

School holidays already?!

Looking forward to welcoming new and old friends to our space these holidays.

Our holiday program will mirror the unhurried vibe of our one day school

-low pressure
-low class numbers
-lots of opportunities for creativity and play

Message to book, limited spaces available

06/09/2026

I love it when the "by the community, for the community" vibe comes to life ❤️

Stoked to score this gorgeous house made by a loving Nan 🥰

It will be a feature in the land of goodies as our drama class explores the Faraway Tree, well loved by our one day school crew, and then will be on display for the whole community to enjoy at our SEEN Christmas Trees Display in November.

Thank you!

01/09/2026

A quick activity for all our lego lovers

25/08/2026

Entries are open now for SEEN Christmas Trees 2026.

Could this be your category?

Christmas through the ages, invites you to consider what Christmas might look like in the past, present or future.

Think - Dinosaurs decorating with giant leaves and shiny stones.

A glamorous Art Deco Christmas tree covered in geometric shapes of gold.

Or maybe your tree belongs hundreds of years in the future, featuring alien celebrations or a post apocalyptic world.

Christmas through the ages is all about letting your imagination run wild.
Go prehistoric.
Go retro.
Go wonderfully old-fashioned.
Go somewhere Christmas hasn’t even been yet.

You don’t need to be an amazing artist. This is an opportunity to connect with your creativity and help us make some Christmas magic for the community to enjoy!

Where in time would your Christmas tree take us? We’d love to see it become part of SEEN Christmas Trees this November.

Enter your tree → https://www.seenlearningcollective.com/

18/08/2026

Entries are open now for SEEN Christmas Trees 2026. Could this be your category?

Some stories stay with us long after we’ve closed the book.

The ones we asked to hear again and again as kids.
The characters we loved.
The worlds we wished we could step inside.

Once Upon a Tree is your chance to take a story that means something to you and imagine it as a Christmas tree.

It could be inspired by a much-loved childhood book, a fairytale, an adventure, a magical world… or a story entirely of your own.

We want to see where your imagination takes you.

Create a tree on your own, with your whānau, your class, your workplace or your people.

So, what story would you bring to life?

We’d love to see it become part of SEEN Christmas Trees this November.

Enter your tree → https://www.seenlearningcollective.com/

12/08/2026

In case you needed the perfect excuse for a creative project! We are calling on our Rotorua Community to create for a cause.

So dust off those paintbrushes, gather the troops and roll up your sleeves...and Enter A Tree 🌲

Be part of creating a sense of Christmas Magic ✨

Clear out the stash of craft supplies you've been hoarding just in case 👀

And support the next generation of quirky creatives at SEEN One Day School ❤️ as we raise some moolah 🤞

11/08/2026

Don't you love it when you manage to stop yourself from saying the stupid thing just before it slips out of your mouth?

I am enjoying a cuppa tea and a slice of cake in the sunshine while my 6 year old is deeply engaged in that sometimes mythical-feeling independent screen free play.

The novelty factor of Toy Library toys is golden ⭐

And to think I almost robbed us both of this moment by saying
"you're too old for that"
"that's too big"
And other such nonsense things

It makes me wonder why do we stop playing as we get older, a tragedy that seems to be occuring younger and younger for children these days.

Did we stop presenting opportunities for play?

Did we replace joyful play with competition and hobbies with performance expectations?

Did the play move online?

Did we just get too busy and run out of time to play?

04/08/2026

What a fitting name for our new base 💞

Today was our third session of our Creative One Day School in Putāruru, for children aged 6 to 10.

This cute old house was placed here at Putāruru Baptist Church after the men came home from war - a safe space for women and children to gather and support each other as families navigated changes and challenges. Named the friendship house, highlighting what a powerful thing a friendship can be!

And now we are fortunate enough for SEEN One Day School to use this beautiful home, once again, as a safe space where friendships are born.

On Tuesdays the house is filled with the sounds of children playing, creating, laughing and enjoying this home away from home....and today blasting rockets high into the sky. 🚀

Enquire now for our next cohort starting 25th of August. Limited spaces available.

04/08/2026

Something magical is coming to Rotorua this Christmas…

This November, SEEN Learning Collective is bringing a little more creativity, colour and magic to the Christmas season.

We’re inviting whānau, schools, ECEs, businesses and community groups to create a Christmas tree for the SEEN Christmas Trees exhibition.

Choose from one of our five categories:
Once Upon a Tree
Christmas Through the Ages
We Are Rotorua
Earth’s Treasures
Marvellous Miniatures

You’ll find trees inspired by the people, places, stories and imaginations that make our community unique.

Join us at the Lynmore Scout Hall from the 27th to 29th November for a joyful community exhibition celebrating Christmas imagination, while raising funds to help SEEN support children through creativity, connection and belonging.

Tree entries are now open. Find out more and register via the link.

Tag someone you would love to see create a tree!

SEEN Christmas Trees is a Rotorua Christmas exhibition celebrating creativity, community connection and festive magic while raising funds for SEEN Learning Collective.