The Gaya Tree Education and Sustainable Life Charitable Trust

About

The Gaya Tree Education & Sustainable Life Charitable Trust is based in Mangawhai, Northland.

Story

*PURPOSE OF THE TRUST*


EDUCATION & LEARNING

Our current education programme is based on yoga philosophy and a Steiner model of education involving the integrated development of the child/young person’s intellectual awareness; musical, artistic and imaginative faculties; practical skills; environmental awareness and conscience; movement; theatre; art and design; performance, the expression of language; Te Reo; wholefood preparation and nutrition; community service.

Bush classrooms add emphasis on building resilience and the capacity for self-motivation; organic gardening, bush ecology and exploration.


AFTER SCHOOL & HOLIDAY PROGRAMMES FOR CHILDREN, LIFE SKILLS PROGRAMMES FOR CHILDREN TEENAGERS & ADULTS.

Our programmes are focused on:

Bush ecology and the protection and conservation of the natural habitat and environment.

Local landscaping and restoring bush cover and increasing diversity through species enhancement.

Organic gardening, biodynamic composting, weed control.

Wholefoods, nutrition, health, wellbeing and cooking classes.

Yoga and the practice of mindfulness to promote non-medical approaches to stress management, resilience and to support of mental health.

Music lessons for violin, piano, guitar, ukulele, marimba and a range of instruments for individuals or groups.


COMMUNITY SERVICES

Public musical performances

Whole-foods and health and wellbeing and cooking demonstrations and classes.

Cross cultural expressions and the celebration of special cultural events.

Creation, preparation and delivery of a product or service to a sector of the local community, eg. Food From The Heart Programme in Mangawhai: Free weekly nutritional meals for senior citizens.



*VALUES AND PHILOSOPHY*

To take responsibility for one’s own mental, spiritual and physical wellness, to learn, model and practice sustainable life skills, learn new skills promoting self-reliance and to serve the community.

To educate for sustainability, through community-integrated, entrepreneurial learning in natural and outdoor environments. Our approach is holistic and environmentally sustainable.


KEY VALUES

Accountability and loyalty - To oneself, one’s family, community and country.

Integrity - To do all things with the deepest integrity enabling those in our care to model their behavior on ours.

Sustainability - The Trust will practice all its activities in an environmentally and economically sustainable way.

Equity - To demonstrate and promote equity over equality, modelling fair dealing and impartial behavior in all its activities.

Trust - To foster mutual trust, inter-dependability and reliance between those who serve (parents, teachers, caregivers, sponsors) and are served (children, community, senior citizens etc)