Secondary Schools
Our secondary schools section supports teachers and rangatahi to connect environmental learning with real-world action, leadership, and future career pathways. Here you’ll find information about Waikato Regional Council’s involvement in the SSEP programme, practical teaching resources, professional learning opportunities, student leadership information, upcoming events, and links to Enviroschools support for secondary settings.
Waikato Enviroschools Facebook group
Join the 'Waikato Enviroschools' group on Facebook for regular tips, ideas and inspiration from local schools taking environmental action.
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Waikato Regional Council can support Waikato secondary schools with career development initiatives for students. Contact
Students partaking in a water quality test
learning@waikatoregion.govt.nz with your request.
Secondary schools employment pathways (SSEP)
Waikato Regional Council is a host employer in SMART Waikato’s SSEP programme. We welcome opportunities to work with Waikato secondary schools to support rangatahi to explore environmental career pathways. For more information, please contact SMART Waikato or Waikato Regional Council’s Youth and Secondary Advisor at learning@waikatoregion.govt.nz
SSEP is a three-session programme that supports teachers to connect curriculum learning with practical, real-world applications, while introducing students to career opportunities they may not have previously considered.
Session 1 is a classroom visit that introduces the programme, the purpose of scientific environmental testing, and the role and work of Waikato Regional Council.
Session 2 is a short field trip where students learn about local habitat and biodiversity and complete a range of practical environmental tests. Worksheets and EOTC documentation are provided by Council and the facilitators.
Session 3 can take place at Waikato Regional Council or at the kura. At Council, students are welcomed with a mihi whakatau and meet staff who share their roles and career pathways. Students then present their field trip learnings to Council staff, including what they did, what they learned, why the environment matters to them, and what they would like Council to consider for future environmental protection. If travel to Council is not practical, Council staff can visit the kura to share their career pathway journey and their current roles, and students can present their findings on site.
Audience: secondary school students
Format: three-session programme of in-person sessions led by Waikato Regional Council
Career exploration
Resources
Enviroschool Secondary School links
Mātauranga whakauka taiao – mā te katoa, mō āke tonu atu
Sustainability education – enough for all, forever
‘Sustainability education – enough for all, forever’ is a resource for New Zealand secondary schools, created to help teachers navigate the NCEA Education for Sustainability (EFS) Achievement Standards.
It’s intended to help build the confidence of new and experienced educators alike to successfully scaffold student learning in environmental education
Key features
- Build students’ Action Competence
- Explore culturally responsive pedagogies
- Innovate with interdisciplinary modules
What’s inside?
- Achievement Standard tips
- Case studies
- Thinking templates
Audience: Secondary school teachers and educators
Format: PDF resource and support webinar
Download your FREE copy
