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Arboretum Project

The Onslow College Arboretum Project

Location

Running roughly north from the Karori Sanctuary there is an almost continuous natural native corridor, which runs through Otari, Kaiwharawhara Gorge, Trelissick Park, along the Johnsonville hill line to Mount Kaukau and over and down to Onslow College.

As an extension of the existing bush corridor, Onslow College has set aside half a hectare of land above its Burma Road boundary to develop into a native bush arboretum. As it grows and develops, Onslow’s arboretum will become another feeding and breeding ground for our endangered native birds, and a valuable learning and recreational area for our students and the wider community.

Dedication

The land set aside for the Arboretum was formally blessed and the first stage of the project officially launched with the dedication of the land in March, 2002. The objective of the first stage of the project was to remove inorganic rubbish, weeds and the large pines from the site. We also aimed to cut the main circular track, begin work on a Remembrance Garden for students who have passed away, design and construct seating, rubbish bins and signage, further develop Onslow’s plant nursery facilities and co-ordinate the formal launch of Stage Two in 2006.

Creation and Support

Beginning in 2002, Year Nine classes have been involved in a project within the arboretum. They have planted trees, ‘spherescaped’, made and installed paving slabs, designed and constructed rubbish bins and this year the students will be creating macrocarpa seats.

Thanks to the financial support of the Onslow PTA, WCC Grants, Johnsonville Garden Club donations, support from local businesses and the hard work of parents, teachers and students, we are on track to meeting most of our Stage One objectives.

Stage Two

The second stage of the project will see ongoing maintenance and planting, and the development of the Arboretum as a learning and recreational facility.

We see this project linking with many aspects of the curriculum such as social studies, health, design, science, technology, horticulture, biology, English, Maori, journalism, drama and film.

The project will help and encourage the students to create and maintain their own sustainable, natural and beautiful physical environment. It also provides an ongoing link with both student’s families and the wider college community as they become involved in the project and begin to use it as a recreational facility.

Launch

We will be formally launching the Arboretum Project as part of Onslow’s 50^th anniversary celebrations.

Please join us on Saturday 21^st October at 2pm to unveil the first of the signs to be erected in the Arboretum. There will also be an opportunity to purchase and/or plant a small tree or shrub with your name inscribed on one of our specially designed 50^th anniversary plant labels.

We look forward to you joining us!

Remember . . . . . It's Great to Celebrate!!