Back
2526 days ago

Trentham Kindy outgrows the rest with their sunflowers

Eleanor Wenman Reporter from Upper Hutt Leader

The garden out the back of Trentham Kindergarten has sunflowers that tower over the kids playing outside.

Their tallest sunflower reaches a height of 1.86 metres and has been officially named the tallest in the region under the Daltons Sunflowers in Kindergartens Project.

The kindy planted several sunflowers earlier in the year and the children watched as the flowers grew.

Teacher Debbie Hawinkels said the project had been a great way for the children to learn how plants grew.

“Growing the sunflowers is always popular with the children, who are keen to plant their seeds and then watch their sunflower grow taller,” she said.

She said children, parents and teachers all worked together to look after the plants as they grew.

“We are all so proud that our efforts in this year’s sunflower competition have resulted in the tallest sunflower in our region,” she said.

The Daltons Sunflower competition is run every other year to teach preschoolers gardening skills.

In the Wellington region 1363 children from kindergartens under the Wellington Kindergarten Association took part in the competition.

The final measurements took place on December 6, with all the Trentham Kindergarten students gathering on the sunny day to watch the tape measure being pulled out.

More than 220 kindergartens in 10 regions took part in growing their own flowers. The tallest sunflower was grown by the kids at Frankton Kindergarten in the Waikato. Their sunflower grew 3.2 metres tall.

The budding gardeners have a long way to go before they break any world records however - the tallest sunflower in the world is currently 9.17 metres, grown by Hans-Peter Schiffer in Karst, Germany.

Daltons general manager Colin Parker said the project was all about growing an interest in gardening by giving kids’ hands a chance to get dirty.

“The children love taking a tiny seed, caring for it and watching it turn into a huge blooming flower. The results delivered smiles to both teachers and children, which was everything we hoped for,” he said.

Image
More messages from your neighbours
4 hours ago

Seasonal Home Check-Up Reminder! 🔍

Texturite Coatings

Hi everyone!

As the seasons change, it’s time to think about your home’s exterior. Inspecting for cracks, peeling, or other signs of wear is crucial to maintaining your property. Small issues can lead to bigger problems if not addressed.

If you notice any concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out! At Texturite, we specialise in repairs and restorations to ensure your home stays protected from the elements.

📞 027 341 3454 📍 Serving the Kapiti / Wellington region
Find out more

Image
4 hours ago

Riddle Me This, Neighbours! Bet You Can’t Guess It!

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

Sometimes narrow, sometimes wide, wind or rain, I stay outside.
Even if there’s heat or snow, from house to house I will still go.
What am I?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

Image
4 hours ago

New lottery, new home

Heart Foundation Lottery

For only $15 a ticket, you could win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home located in Clarks Beach, Auckland.

This coastal town offers the perfect escape, just a short drive from the city.

Valued at over $1 million, this home features three bedrooms and generous open-plan kitchen, living, and dining area. It is waiting to be loved by its new owner.

Make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, a rental, or simply sell it!

Get your tickets today at heartlottery.org.nz
Find out more

Image