Open Culture

Warrington School was awarded a Special Award at the NZ Open Source Awards in Wellington last week. This was in recognition for the school promoting Open Culture. Our award was for the “Ubuntu room”, a place where Open Source in NZ schools began in 2006. Computers were installed with the Ubuntu operating system, this was so successful that more computers were sourced for the school, families and wider community. Ubuntu and open source software now runs all our computers at Warrington. Our open culture initiatives also include the innovative use of WikiEducator for school documentation, a Creative Commons policy allowing teachers to share their intellectual property and our community radio station, Blueskin Bay FM. 

Last week's camps had wonderful weather, superb environments, food, water and fire. The perfect ingredients for some outdoor education magic. It sounded like the Waianakarua camp was a huge success with paella at the river and exploration of the elephant rocks making me quite jealous. The annual trip to Rabbit Island saw camp fire cuisine taken to new heights. Years of weeding has begun to make a difference with small natives in abundance around the camp-site.

With the arrival of some summer weather we are encouraging students to cover up with sunhats and the wearing of appropriate clothing for playing outdoors. Some children are also taking further responsibility by bringing sunblock.

Senior students have been busy building a trolley as part of their technology project. Isaac and June have been testing the design and both agree that the trolley should be horse-powered rather than human powered. More trolleys are in the planning stage for an end of year time trail derby.

A community garden is now established in the paddock with potatoes planted and plans for further plantings of beans and pumpkins.