Green Leaves prepares to head to New Zealand as part of NLRDP program

Fifteen team members from across the Green Leaves network have been selected to join the inaugural pedagogical Green Leaves Study Tour to New Zealand.

The tour was designed in consultation with Green Leaves Education and Nutrition team members, and is part of Green Leaves’ enriched professional development series known as the National Learning, Research and Development Project (NLRDP).

Dr Karen Grubb leads the NLRDP, which aims to enhance practices across the network with Nutrition, Inclusion, Wellbeing, Sustainability and Indigenous Perspectives. 

The team members will be hosted on their tour by Kelly Goodsir, founder of KG Learning, and Karen Hailes, NZ Study Tour Leader, enjoying an immersive experience, the tour attendees will follow “an enriching agenda” which will include an introduction to the New Zealand bi-cultural curriculum, Te Whariki and its influence throughout pedagogy and practice, workshops, and visits to early learning services in Wellington.

Through ‘thinking and learning collaboratively’, Ms Goodsir believes that ‘anything is possible in long-term educational change, designing systems that foster autonomy, ownership, and a strong learning culture.’

“We received many applications, it was tough to narrow it down” Dr Grubb said.

To apply to join the tour applicants were asked to respond to a series of questions in a creative way, and the quality of the applications demonstrated the calibre of the team, Dr Grubb added. 

“There was poetry and song, stories and pictures accompanying the applications! It brought me great joy to read through them because the applications highlight just how passionate and dedicated our people are to their professional practice. We’re so grateful that this opportunity has been well-received by everyone.”

Kirsten Berry, National Operations Manager, said that team members are encouraged to empower themselves with the knowledge and skills to craft a career that is rich and fulfilling, which will resonate in their daily practices in providing engaging educational experiences and care.

“From a professional development and growth perspective, there are so many exciting things planned this year, which I can’t wait to share with our team. This is just the beginning.”

Learn more about Green Leaves here.