Are you a child, teacher or corporate, business? We’ve got something for everyone. Programmes to make your mind, heart and body sing!
Take a look at the goodness below.
We’ve been observing what makes children’s imaginations & hearts sing, for years. Our playshops let kids and the planet grow. We call it ‘natureal education’. We challenge children to be them. To ‘sit in their element’…creating, innovating, moving, laughing and loving. It’s the work of kids ! Here’s what we do:
Nature goodness plus plus! This is our rainbow day. When TTHILLs Bush/Forest and farm school come alive. We do music, Te Ao Maori, yoga, drama, art, food, story, eco-passion projects, everything ‘natureal’! This day fills everyone’s buckets with laughter, kindness, adventures away & a sense of giving back to papatuanuku. We follow a ‘reasons for the seasons’ curriculum, and deal in a currency of kindness. Kaiako bring their passions for nature play and arts on a day of ‘natureal’ indulgence. Remember to get permission from your school before attending.
$60 + GST 20 children only. Scholarships available: contact talkingtreehilltrust@gmail.com
We are currently running a mixed age group on Tuesdays only this term.
AGES 3+ | PICKUP & DROP OFF FROM TOTS ON THE ROCK / 9 - 12:30
$22.50 a session – Enroll with Danielle and Hayley, then pay online. Is your child 3+ and goes to ToTs on the Rock? Fridays at TTHill are yours! The Tots crew are smart, they booked a day here when we first opened! Much kudos to them. So much outdoor goodness to be soaked up in our animal farm, natural playground, Bush/forest School. Think mucky play, adventuring & creating. A day spent imagining in nature, and rolling with children’s curiosities and urges. Enroll with Danielle and Hayley, then pay online.
$22.50 a session – subsidised by ToTs.
It’s TTHill time... 2-3 weeks of outdoor goodness to celebrate the holidays. If your at work or need a day for you, no problemo! We have the goods to keep your child/ren happy and adventurous. Each day we will try a different TTHill outdoor skill.... We will be whittling, mining, growing, cooking, creating music, art, yoga, Te Ao Maori, sports, DIYing, crafting, nature games, makerspace, tinkering, and connecting with nature for mind and body health!
Everyday will be an assortment of the above awesomeness and more with expert educators creating arts & innovations with the children to get their imaginations moving!
Please provide snacks, lunch and a water bottle.
5-11years. Drop off at Talking Tree Hill by 8.30am. Jackets, gumboots and a change of clothing are ESSENTIAL in wintery/spring. In summer make sure they have sunblock and a hat!
Full refund less 5% booking fee will be applied if COVID restrictions change. Talking Tree Hill will adhere to MOH and MOE guidelines at the time.
Please ask about scholarships. talkingtreehilltrust@gmail.com
This is where we began our journey...Are you a homeschooler? Does your child needs a day away with someone who embodies your ethos for learning? have a group but just need the space?
Here we are! or hire the space and bring your own teacher!
A day for your child to flourish in creative nature education- learn our yoga flows, care for the animals, grow food, create DIY passion projects, make bread and polish eggs, create music and laugh on the farm, in the forest, bush and beach. We learn the non-negotiable skills of our 10 zero waste principles. Because we give back to papatuanuku.
We also are very keen on 'drop of the hat excursions' because sometimes our curiosities lead us to another space on the island. Children create the flow we support their innovativeness. 10 children minimum. Pick up and drop off from Waiheke Primary School carpark. Age Range 5-12 years
Contact Kirsten 0277339904 for more information.
We run innovative:
- 1-day Kaiako wellness programmes
- Nature2Classroom Professional Development in school, online or at TTHill.
- Bespoke programmes to fit the kaupapa of your kura.
We focus on bringing more creativity, innovation and wellbeing into their own lives, their classrooms and respect for the planet. What does your school need to thrive?
Integrated creativity and nature education for your classroom. One day in school professional development workshops. Visit Nature2Classroom to find out more about our Nature2Classroom Programme.
This innovative and playful 1 day professional development day is designed to empower kaiako to set up (or extend on) integrating the curriculum with EOTC experiences from a creative nature education perspective. It is designed specifically for your school's needs and delivered by professionals with current informative research and practices to invigorate your curriculum. The pld will be based on the wellbeing of your Ākonga and will be differentiated to take into consideration the strategic plans of your school.
These are the core elements to expect from your day: Inspiration, motivation and creative Wellbeing focus Jointly constructed (Covid proof) action plan that considers your core vision, everyones’ buy-in, essential skills & resources, formative assessment and reflection to ensure your programme is a success. Planning that aligns with the kaupapa of your kura Guidance by experienced professionals with innovative, practical, research-based ideas, tips and activities for integrating EOTC into your weekly plan.
Overview of methods to integrate Nature Education EOTC into the curriculum
Facilitators: Kirsten Simmons (Dip ECE, BeD, M.Ed.). Kirsten’s passion and expertise is in creativity, innovation, music, science, wellbeing and nature education. She is a registered teacher and sits on two charitable trusts dedicated to advocating for nature education, creativity and wellbeing for Ākonga, Kaiako and Papatuanuku In Aotearoa. She is the Director of Talking Tree Hill and Nature2Classroom and leading a 2 year “Green Play Day” Research project advocating for creative educational change through using the outdoor classroom as the catalyst for wellbeing for all Ākonga. TTHill has been recognised as one of the top 100 innovations by HundrED in 2019, and was awarded semi-finalist for Nature2Classroom from SheEO in 2021.
Susan Arrowsmith (BSc [Hons] (Environmental Science), PGCEducaton (Science), MEd (Curriculum Integration), 200hr YTT) Susan has taught students, teachers and leaders in different locations globally for over 20 years. She has a passion for sustainability education and empowering ākonga to take action to improve theirs and others' learning and lives. Susan completed research into Curriculum Integration in NZ Schools in 2013 and has been supporting NZ schools to include, increase and embed curriculum integration since. One of the kura that Susan has worked with over the last six years has recently been awarded the 2021 PMs focus award for Excellence in Sustainability Education.
Want your own personalised professional development day at Talking Tree Hill?
Book your day! Our on-going research in nature education, creativity and innovation drives our kaiako professional development days.
Giving you a range of skills to develop in the classroom, and a sense of well being and personal nourishment to boost you! Book in for a 1/2 or full day of adventures. We discuss what you and your team need and we create sessions to suit. Includes ferry pick up/drop off, or from your school or early childhood centre on the Island. We will work with you to produce your perfect day!
20 people only.
Lunch and snacks provided & recommended!
We create days aligned to the needs of your group! What do you need and what does the planet need? Experiences include digital free detox days, environmental giving back sessions, team building, wellness days.What does your team need to thrive? We will create it.
Need to refresh? Need to reinvigorate your team by connecting back to nature and creativity ? Then come for a day. Every team needs a day together soaking up vitamin D, being creative and taking time to just be. We offer the space to do that, and to explore. We will send you a survey to tap into ‘why’ you need a day at Talking Tree Hill. Then we create a session designed to nourish and extend your team. Based outdoors, on wellbeing, or risk taking, collaboration and building you as a high functioning and agile team...with heart! Sounds like you? get in contact!