Adventures of Coes Ford

The whole junior Burnham School and parents went to Coes Ford to plant native trees to create habitats for both insects and native birds. On Friday morning we were split into three separate groups. Our activities for the day were planting native trees, studying insects and aquatic invertebrates.

One of the activities was led by Mike who discuss the importance about insects. He mentioned about how insects disguise themselves in their environment. He explained by planting  native trees that we are improving insects’ habitats and  bringing back native birds. Later on he showed us a live weta  that some of us held.

With the aquatic vertebrates we discovered how they helped measure how healthy Coes Ford river is by counting the population of insects, especially the May Fly. We also separated the different aquatic vertebrates by using suckers into containers. We found that Coes Ford river  was healthy.

Our main objective for the day was to plant native trees. Brooke demonstrated how to plant a tree properly. We learnt how to use a protective blanket to stop weeds from destroying the tree. Also a  protective sleeve was required for each plant to stop rabbits and other animals eating the small trees.


At lunch time there was a boat race. The rafts were made from Harakeke ( flax).  Many of the rafts went off course and got tangled in the tree on the bank of the river.

We had an amazing time at Coes Ford but we were exhausted as we hopped into the bus and drove back to school.

Coes Ford- Tree planting

Burnham School- Coes Ford

On Friday the entire Burnham School got rid of their school uniforms and turned up to school in their gardening gear and gumboots to get ready to complete their quest of planting 300 natives plants at Coes Ford.

Other activities that we ponder as we sat in the bus in readiest for the day ahead was harakeke (flax) weaving and what aquatic and terrestrial bugs we would likely to discover.

The awesome response and enthusiasm of parents to muck in and learn beside their siblings was the major highlight of the day. Both students and parents all contributed in completing the quest and their success will be there for furture generations.

Another highlight was Mike Bowie passing on his passion about terrestrial bugs to the children. Some parents weren't so keen about his passion for Weta especially when he brought an actually live one!!! Others children made links between the activities when planting native trees they discovered giant native worms!!!!!

At the Harakeke weaving , we saw the importance of Harakeke being taught and the custom of weaving the Harakeke. With guidance from Ngai Tahu elders the students were able to make extraordinary fish and flowers made from the Harakeke.

A special mention to Steve(Head Chief) and his apprentice Mr Clarke, whom pulled through and delivered 368 cooked sausages on the barbecue on time. The year ⅞ stepped up organised the distribution of the sausages to the hoards of their peers and parents who were hungry after participating in three rotations

Many thanks must go to lots of people in making this day so successful these include, Jen Rodgers from EnviroSchools, Jason Arnold from Ngai Tahu, Brooke Turner from Kakareke Trust, Steve Brailsford and Adrienne Lomax from the WET Trust - Waihora Ellesmere Trust.

The outlook is to further develop this event annually and continue to strengthen our links with the community and the local environment.