The buzz about bees

Bee Awareness Month provided a timely opportunity to celebrate New Zealand’s native bees and raise awareness of the challenges facing bee populations.

These VIPs (Very Important Pollinators) play a vital role in supporting healthy ecosystems and food production, yet many species are under pressure from habitat loss and environmental change. Supporting bees requires more than reducing single-use plastics. It means making sustainable choices, creating bee-friendly habitats, and working together to protect the natural environment. To help bee part of the solution, the Environmental Group hosted a Beeswax Wrap Workshop that combined environmental awareness with practical action.

The workshop was a real buzz, attracting not only Environmental Group members but students from right across the school. Using cotton fabric, beeswax, and pine resin, participants created their own reusable food wraps while learning about sustainable alternatives to disposable products such as Glad Wrap. The hands-on activity encouraged students to think about how small actions can contribute to a more sustainable future. Judging by the turnout and enthusiasm, the event was an un-bee-lievable success and highlighted the growing commitment from some of our students to kaitiakitanga.

A special thank you goes to our Environmental Group student leaders, whose organisation, preparation, and support helped make the event such a success. From preparing materials to assisting participants throughout the session, these hardworking worker bees kept everything running smoothly despite the hive of activity. Their enthusiasm, leadership, and dedication to sustainability were instrumental in making the workshop both enjoyable and educational for everyone involved.

• Mr R Stephen