Rangiora High School targets sustainability centre
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Rangiora High School plans to revitalise its school farm as a centre of sustainability.
The school’s board of trustees has made the decision to ‘‘regenerate’’ the school farm, principal Bruce Kearney said.
‘‘There is excitement in the community about the farm, but I find it difficult to market it because it is still very much a 1970s style farm and it has served its purpose.
‘‘But we are in a new world, with a focus on having a sustainable environment, so we need to re-address what we do.’’
Head of science David Newsham-West will take a year off from teaching next year to develop a plan for an ‘‘innovation hub’’ and a sustainability centre.
Newsham-West said he was keen to get buy-in from the local community and local businesses.
There were opportunities to work alongside Lincoln University, research organisations such as AgResearch, Industry Training Organisations and Ngāi Tūāhuriri, he said.
Rangiora students could even be involved in cutting edge research, such as testing digital collars on sheep and gathering the data or conducting soil tests.
One suggestion was even to develop a mountain bike track on the farm, with the school possibly hosting endurance events one day.
‘‘People are open to the idea of farms being diverse and flexible. Farms can’t just be a monoculture any more,’’ Newsham-West said.
‘‘We want to have a farm which models flexibility, sustainability and innovation.’’
The farm would continue to work alongside youth training service, ComCol, in offering equine studies and apiaries, while the intention was to continue farming sheep.
But it could also incorporate some viticulture, horticulture and other ideas which the school has not even thought of.
‘‘We are open to ideas across the board, we could have bio-nodes, we could teach pest control and biodiversity and we could even put in solar panels,’’ Newsham-West said.
He also saw opportunities for engaging staff across different subjects in the school and with ComCol North Canterbury next door.
‘‘There are opportunities for integrated learning and our geology and geography teachers are already talking about getting in drones and doing soil sampling.
‘‘Rather than fictitiously making up projects students can do on paper, we can get the students doing something real on site.
‘‘You can read a book or do film editing at home, but you can’t learn about moving stock unless you are hands on.’’
Building and hard materials and other school departments were also looking at ways of being involved in the farm, he said.
Whatever future plan was developed, Kearney said selling the farm was not option.
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
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Hero
“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
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