Limehills School was one of the first schools in Southland to join the Enviroschools programme in 2005. The school’s involvement with Kowhai Reach began prior to them becoming an Enviroschool. Since 2005 the school has weeded, planted, raised kowhai seedlings, and monitored water quality using the EMAP equipment. The area now has a picnic table and the track has information signs designed by the students. The school continues to work with the community, local land owners and the QEII trust on this project.

Within the school grounds, Limehills is a hive of activity. You can’t help but feel enthused at the amount of environmental action the school community is involved with. The school has a dedicated enviro-area. A well organised and maintained composting system feeds the many vegetable gardens. The student-designed ‘story telling’ EcoHut contains a bright and welcoming area for older students to read stories to the younger students, as well as a roof-top garden and outside games.

Within the extensive tunnel house there are various stations including craft, potting/planting, and paper brick making. Many of these items are sold at the school cooperative (co-op) that was started in 2010.

The students began the co-op project by going on a bike ride around the Centre Bush village to see what produce was grown or made in the area. They then decided that they could sell on behalf of the community, taking a small cut as fundraising. Students found out about loans, and in order to complete the project took out a small loan. This has since been re-payed and the students continue to use their enterprising skills through their co-op. Jams, veges, fruit, eggs, and crafts are sold on a weekly basis.

The school also has a student run farm (sheep and alpacas) and hen house. Students are responsible for feeding, arranging shearing, water systems and stock sales, with the help from adults!