Student Forum :)

An article was published in the Te Awamutu Courier 22 - 10 -2009, reporting on the successful student forum, which was held the previous week.

Youngsters in this area will grow up
with an ‘ownership’ interest in
Mangaohoi Stream and knowledge
about streamcare in general, if a local
group succeeds in its goals.
The ‘Mangaohoi Stream — making
the connections’ group is working
under the umbrella of Te Awamutu
Safer Community Charitable Trust and
involves people passionate about
facilitating youth involvement in the
community.
The concept is to provide fun and
engaging opportunities for the community
to work and learn together
using the Mangaohoi Stream, which
flows through Te Awamutu, as the
focus.
It responds to the desire expressed
from Te Awamutu youth SPLICE project
to be supported in learning through
hands on, real life and locally relevant
projects.
The group met on Friday with
students from schools in the area for a
Mangaohoi Stream Student Forum.
About 40 students come from schools
within Te Awamutu gathered to brainstorm
and discuss ways that young
people could become involved in meaningful
learning and action for the
Mangaohoi.
An upbeat, energetic workshop had
ideas flowing and kids buzzing.
Facilitators — Donna Dyet (Learning Facilitator), Richard
Hurrell (Safer Communities Trust), Tony Roxburgh (Waipa Distric Council) and Robyn
Irving (Enviro Schools) —g uided the students through a
process that was similar to that followed
by the adults at a public meeting
three weeks ago. All these ideas will
now be posted on the blog on www.te
awamutu online.
‘‘The clear message from the
students was that they want to be
involved in collective hands-on fun and
action to make the stream an inviting
place for community use,’’ Robyn Irving says.

The group hopes to gather interested
students together early next year for a full
day of exploration and vision creation to
work towards creating a Strategic Plan
for ongoing development.
‘‘We are hoping that in time the
schools will be involved with growing
and maintaining plants for the stream
banks, water testing and water flow
monitoring,’’ Richard Hurrell says.
Friday’s meeting followed a well
supported public meeting the previous
month.
Support has also been expressed by
Environment Waikato, Fonterra, student activity
groups and the local business community — including Flooring
Xtra. A storage facility is sought to store
stocks of old woollen carpet and underlay
(for use on stream banks).
The group hopes to also tap into the expertise
of existing groups like Mangapiko
Stream Care Group and the Parks and
Reserves Committee.
For more information phone Mr
Hurrell on 021 210 8030 or email Mrs
Irving: lifestyleplantations@ihug.co.nz
or Mrs Dyet: dyet@xtra.co.nz .