The site had been farmland for 150 years. When we secured it in 2008, the two natural springs were lifeless. Today, with support from the Department of Conservation, Seven Oaks students have restored the springs, and eels, cockabullies and kôura have returned, along with dragonflies, damselflies, mayflies and many more insects and inhabitants. This is a source of great pride and pleasure for Seven Oaks students and staff and the grounds of our school are at the heart of our eco-literacy programme.
The vision for the campus comes from wide-ranging research, as well as ideas put forward Seven Oaks parents, students and staff.
Seven Oaks feels safe and warm like home. Everyone is welcomed, respected for who they are and can connect with other like-minded families.
Seven Oaks environment exemplifies how a natural, healthy, school site can be – teeming with life and nurtured through organic, sustainable practices.
We provide an energising, vibrant learning environment for students, with a variety of colourful, creative and inspiring ideas that make it fun.
The Seven Oaks grounds have a spacious, peaceful and sheltered feel through the combination of abundant nature and harmonious design principles.
We have lots of roomy, light and peaceful inside spaces. Specialist inside learning areas include art, music, cooking and science. A workshop is going to be added soon.
We have an amphitheatre, gardens for growing organic fruit and vegetables, a chicken run, natural springs, adventure play facilities and sports areas.
At present, we have capacity for 150 students on campus, but have space to add more buildings and extend the grounds to accommodate 450 pre-school, primary and secondary students in coming years.
The children’s wish list includes
Staff and parents are planning
We plan to add all of these in the coming months and years.
The chocolate fountain, Nerf gun arena and water slide with penguins are ideas that haven’t really got off the drawing board so far…
