Environmental Guardians Programme – Years 1 to 3
These early years of education are a collaboration between teachers and parents in designing a personal learning programme for each child.
The Environmental Guardians programme adopts a forest schools approach. It delivers structured skills development via an environmental lens which prioritises experiential learning with all Enviro School resources situated in the Alpha Central Hall which is open 24/7.
The Enviro School Curriculum
The Enviro School learning curriculum, based on Cambridge International, is extensive and consists of the following components:
Literacy Development - building the foundations of reading fluency and written expression. Our children learn by becoming authors and publishers. We provide the skills development; they create their unique reading texts.
Mathematical Understanding - development of numerical fluency and mathematical reasoning. While we prioritise numeracy, graphing, and measurement, we also lay the foundations for geometric and algebraic reasoning.
Integrated Studies - topics covered during years 1 to 3 reflect the environmental focus of our learning programme. They blend experiential learning with the development of thinking skills. In these early years we preserve and promote creative thinking skills and support the development of conceptual thinking skills.
Digital Literacy - our children are digital natives. We introduce them to a range of skills which are embedded in their learning experience. Students use their skills to create original documents which communicate their learning.
Artistic Expression - this element of our children’s learning is integrated into the literacy and integrated studies components. Students need to express their learning. Our children create their own musicals and movies, based on their unique learning experiences.
Spanish - early learning of another language enhances brain development. We teach Spanish during these early years.
Peak Performance - a Perceptual Motor Programme. Sensory integration is essential to development, but it does not always occur naturally; in a significant number of children, it needs to be taught. Optimal development of sensory motor skills underpins all learning.
Social & Emotional Literacy - Enviro School delivers The Brain Licence curriculum created by the school’s founder Frances Hill. It builds the children’s interpersonal and intrapersonal skills. Years 1 to 3 work on the Values Programme which is integrated into Peak Performance.
Elements not included within the programme are those which we consider to be the personal domain of parents. These include personal and health education, practical activities such as swimming instruction and citizenship education.
We do value the teaching of history, which we introduce in Year Three, when young brains have acquired a sense of the past.
What does the Enviro School Environmental Guardians offer my child?
Experiential learning, enhanced by structured skills development, provides a sound springboard for enhanced learning. Our Environmental Guardians early school programme enriches the young child’s passion for learning which is so often lost at the school door. Our programmes are our children’s teaching guides, with subject animals guiding students through their learning. We also provide guidance for parents. We provide a term by term overview of development and an optional weekly timetable to scaffold learning experiences.
The Year One timetable shows the structure of learning offered to students and parents.
The programme does not specifically cater for students with identified specific learning difficulties. Advanced learners who already have literacy skills should enrol in the Alpha Plus Extension Programme.
What about my child’s social interaction?
Alpha recognises the importance of social connection. The values section of our Peak Performance Programme focusses on the essential intra and interpersonal skills which facilitate social engagement. We also provide a social interaction contract which parents can use to negotiate the various social engagement activities which children can experience each week. The predominately morning learning of the programme provides time and opportunity to fulfil this vital part of a child’s development.
Learning Progression
The Environmental Guardians programme provides the foundational curriculum for the Alpha Primary School. When students reach Year 4, they have the preferential option of extending their learning by participation in the Alpha Primary classrooms where they engage with other students and teachers in real time learning. From Year 9 students enter Tutors Online, The Alpha Educational Consultancy’s high school option.
How do I enrol my child in the Enviro School’s Environmental Guardians Programme?
Year One
Applications are now open for the Environmental Guardians Programme Year One.
You can complete your registration for a Half Term Taster at LINK. The Half Term Taster will give you access to Orientation Week and the first two Learning Units, comprising 5 weeks. This includes the educational programme, supporting materials and parental guidance documents. This Half Term Taster is offered at a reduced price.
Years 2 to 3
These areas will be coming soon. Please register your interest for these courses by emailing admin@alphaed.co.nz
What is the cost of the Enviro School Environmental Guardians Programme?
Year level enrolments to the Enviro School Environmental Guardians Programme can be made per term, or for a full year (4 terms).
Environmental Guardians Programme – per term
United Kingdom £150
New Zealand $300
Environmental Guardians Programme – full year
United Kingdom £500
New Zealand $1,000
To celebrate our launch into the United Kingdom, a reduced-price Half Term Taster is available for Year One. The Half Term Taster will give you access to Orientation Week and the first two Learning Units, comprising 5 weeks. This includes the educational programme, supporting materials and parental guides.
Environmental Guardians – Half Term Taster – Year One
United Kingdom £65
New Zealand $130
Remainder of Year One Term One (on completion of Half Term Taster)
United Kingdom £55
New Zealand $120