What was once a challenge was then turned into an opportunity. Read how Margie Hutchinson (Principal) from Maungaturoto School used student voice and inquiry learning to initiate and develop a new bike track for their school and community. 

In 2020 when we were at COVID level 3, we ran 3 bubbles at school. One of the challenges for the staff was to keep the children 2 metres a part when they were playing outside. To make things easier for everyone we invited the children to bring their ‘wheels’. All children loved having their wheels at school.

During this time the 2020 year 5 and 6 children decided we needed a bike track. This became an inquiry learning project for this group of students. They researched bike tracks at other schools and parks around New Zealand. They plotted and measured and decided where they thought the best place for our bike track would be. They looked at what materials they needed and did some costings. When initial planning was completed they wrote to myself as Principal and to the Board of Trustees. We all thought this was a great idea and were especially proud of the children for using their initiative and having such good suggestions on how this could happen. We were extremely fortunate to have the expertise and the drive of board member – Matt Browne, owner and operator of MP and RA Browne Contractors. By this time, we had to wait until the ground was firm enough to work on, so a date was set to make our bike track in term 1 2021. In the meantime, the group were still working quietly behind the scenes. They wrote to several organisations for quotes, donations, and discounts. The community have been very supportive. The Rotary Club got involved. They have helped fund the track, and they have helped at our working bees.

Four days, and over 50 volunteers later – we now have a bike track to be proud of. Thank you so much to Matt Browne who volunteered his time and machinery and was here for four very long days over 2 weekends to lead an extremely successful operation. Over these 4 days we had over 50 volunteers coming and going and working together to complete the bike track. My sincere thanks to every single person who helped - your contributions enabled us to complete a big project.

At school we encourage everyone to use our CARE values. The best way our children learn is by example and every one of our helpers displayed our CARE values. Once we complete a few last-minute jobs and work out the best way to organise bikes, helmets and students, the bike track will be open every day. We are happy for community members to use this track out of school hours. Please remember to respect our school grounds. Dogs are not allowed on the grounds.

Thank you to the following people who contributed to making this project a success: -

Atlas Quarries

Each and every volunteer who came along to help

Cowley’s Hire Centre – Ruakaka

Maungaturoto and Districts Rotary Club

MP and RA Browne Contractors

Topuni Mill